While the federal government shutdown is over, Minnesota is still left to deal with the consequences. I am glad that federal workers are finally getting paid, but many more will now have to grapple with rising health care costs, and the status quo of the billionaire class getting all the breaks is maintained, while working families playing by the rules continue to struggle. That is not the outcome Minnesotans deserve. While food assistance and the price of health care took center stage during the shutdown debate, the Trump administration is also making housing more expensive and inaccessible, clawing back federal grants that would’ve gone towards supportive housing. With winter on our doorstep, it’s hard to think of anything crueler than cutting funds to programs that work so hard to provide a roof over the head of someone in need. We need every level of government to be focused on reducing costs and making lives more affordable for working families. Unfortunately, President Trump would rather threaten Democratic members of Congress and attack our Somali neighbors. This dangerous and xenophobic rhetoric serves only to divide us, and distract the public from the core economic agenda under Trump: cater to the billionaires and massive corporations while selling out working people. Where the President and Congressional Republicans fall short, in Minnesota, we’ll strive to lead. As we prepare for the 2026 Legislative Session, it’s vital that we push forward policies that put more power in the hands of working families to make housing, health care, and daily essentials more affordable. Investing in Richfield The House Capital Investment Committee recently finished their statewide infrastructure tour, a biennial tradition of providing legislators with first-hand experience of regional projects vying for state investment. A couple years ago, our community’s proposed project was the Wood Lake Nature Center, which the committee visited and awarded $12 million. Construction is ongoing! This time around, Mayor Supple and I met with the committee to advocate for the redevelopment of Nicolette Avenue - a project that would make the corridor safer and more accessible for all users. The infrastructure changes included in this redevelopment would raise crossings, improve traffic flow, and separate sidewalks and off-street bicycle trails. |