We continue our good work for Minnesotans. People expect us to use this time diligently during the legislative session to get our work done and deliver the results our communities are counting on. This week, Minnesota Management and Budget released their updated February state budget forecast. This was the first time in over twenty years the state’s financial outlook has included inflation, holding the surplus steady at $17.5 billion. I’ve been long advocating for this measure, which was just signed into law, to increase transparency and fiscal responsibility so we have a clearer picture of what the legislature is working with as we craft our two-year state budget. Here’s a look at what we’ve passed recently and what I’m working on at the State Capitol: Protecting the Health and Safety of MinnesotansImproving Prevention and Enhancing Prosecution of Unlawful Possession or Sale of Catalytic Converter Theft
Minnesota ranks in the top five for catalytic cover thefts nationwide. Last week, we passed legislation to crack down on theft by prohibiting anyone from possessing a used, unattached catalytic converter unless the owner has the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle, and the date the converter was removed from the vehicle. It prohibits the sale and purchase of catalytic converters by anyone other than registered scrap metal dealers and would impose a fine of up to $10,000 for unlawful possession and sale. You may recall the bust of the federal catalytic converter theft ring last fall, which Plymouth Police aided in. I’m hopeful that if we can pass this bill into law, we can help thwart theft and give law enforcement the tools they could use in catching these thieves. Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women
Black women are more than twice as likely to be victims of homicide. As a state, we have a responsibility to do more to address disproportionate rates at which people inflict violence upon Black women and girls compared to white peers. In 2021, the legislature passed legislation to establish Minnesota’s first-in-the-nation Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force to study these pervasive disproportionate rates, and the bill we passed last week follows the recommendations of that task force, and creates an office dedicated to preventing and ending violence against Black women and girls. Banning Conversion ‘Therapy’
The House also passed HF 16, which would ban conversion ‘therapy’ for minors and vulnerable adults. Conversion therapy has been identified by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatry Association as a dangerous and discredited practice. Any sort of scheme guising itself as ‘therapy’ that leads to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide, as the medical community has testified, is not a safe and medically sound practice. Everyone deserves to be celebrated in our state for who they are, no exceptions. Sustainable Crop Development in Partnership with the University of Minnesota
The Forever Green Initiative develops and improves winter-hardy annual and perennial crops and cropping systems that protect soil and water while providing new economic opportunities for growers, industry, and Minnesota communities across the state. This week, my bill was heard in the House Agriculture Committee to invest $2 million annually to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for grants to the University of Minnesota. These investments would go directly to the University’s Forever Green Initiative to fund equipment and physical infrastructure that supports the Forever Green Initiative’s breeding, agronomic research, and food science activities. You can read my press release here. Connected to Community Great to connect with constituents visiting to advocate for the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and I'm committed to supporting measures that help ensure our neighbors can live independently with quality care.  Glad to have met with community members representing the American Cancer Society ahead of the snow last week! They're advocating for important legislation related to biomarking. Thank you for the visit and information! #PlymouthProud #MedicineLakeProud  I appreciated Dr. Tate Herman taking the time out of his day to visit with me recently on Optometry Day at the Capitol. We are fortunate to have excellent providers living and working in our community to provide the quality care our Plymouth and Medicine Lake residents deserve.  Great to be with members of our Plymouth NorthWest Islamic Community Center yesterday at the Capitol! Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime at rep.ginny.klevorn@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5511 with questions or ideas! Your input drives the good work we can accomplish together. Have a great rest of the week! Sincerely, Ginny Klevorn
State Representative |