Legislative Update - Transit Safety

Hello Friends, 

Last week we returned from the snow storm to a busy legislative schedule. A large focus for me that week was the first hearing of my legislation to improve Metro Transit safety, particularly on the Blue and Green Light Rail Lines. 

The light rail lines are a tremendous asset to the Twin Cities, one I’ve often used myself as part of my commute to the Capitol, but we have a duty to create a better, safer environment for riders. This isn’t a new issue, and since measures to improve safety were blocked during divided government, it’s only gotten worse. It’s going to take efforts at various levels of government to address transit safety, but it’s a challenge we can and must meet, and this bill is an important first step.

Our legislation establishes a 3-month intensive intervention program to help reset the current culture of the transit lines, utilizing community social services to get help to those in need. The bill also implements a number of changes to set standards for rider behavior, and clarifies when officers have authority to order people to leave a transit vehicle or facility without issuing a warning. The bill directs the Met Council to adopt a rider code of conduct for transit passengers, which is posted in a prominent location at each light rail and park-and-ride station.

You watch coverage on our hearing and this issue here.

We’ll continue discussing this legislation in the House Transportation Committee. 

The Pathway Home Act

On Thursday, we passed the Pathway Home Act in the Minnesota House. The legislation significantly increases funding to critical state programs supporting shelter providers across Minnesota in their direct response and service to Minnesotans who are currently unsheltered. 

The Pathway Home Act invests $150 million through 2028 to create new brick-and-mortar shelters throughout Minnesota to ensure more people can receive services and housing regardless of their background or zip code. The bill offers a strong foundation for the transformative work we continue to do to keep our future generations of Minnesotans housed.

Other important actions we took last week include our vote to ratify labor agreements for state employees and put new guardrails into state law to prevent unconscionable price gouging during times of emergency such as a pandemic or natural disaster.

We also took our final, largely procedural votes on the “Driver’s Licenses for All” and “Restore the Vote” bills, finally sending them to Gov. Walz for his anticipated signature. 

ESP Bill of Rights

It was also a big week for my bill to establish a “Bill of Rights” for our Education Support Professionals (ESP). Throughout Minnesota, paras, janitors, food service, and bus drivers are underpaid, without training, and needing access to affordable health care.

That’s unacceptable. The ESP Bill of Rights guarantees and funds:

• Minimum $25 per hour
• Health Care Access
• Paid prep time
• Paid E-Learning Days
• 16 Hours of Professional Dev

These are the backbone of our education system, and it’s time the professionals supporting our schools receive the support they deserve in turn. This is a bill with bipartisan support, and I look forward to bringing this bill over the finish line for our schools.

Speaking of our schools, shout out to the Special Education professionals that joined us last week at the state capitol to advocate for their work!

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov

Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov