Final Home Stretch of the 2023 Session

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a long winter and it’s been nice to see the sunshine. Though most of my time lately has been spent indoors, I’m glad summer is just around the corner. 

We’re in the final home stretch of the legislative session with House and Senate conference committees working to finalize budget bills. To date, we’ve completed the following areas of our state budget: Higher Education; Legacy; Veterans; and Housing. We’re on track to adjourn on time if not early, and I’m grateful your input has helped us move forward to deliver a budget that works for everyone in Apple Valley and our state.    

Here’s a look at other significant legislation that has advanced:

Protecting the Quality of Patient Care 

Patients must always be at the center of health care. Yesterday, the House passed my bill to protect Minnesotans’ interests during mergers, consolidations, and transactions involving health care systems, ensuring we're putting people ahead of profits. This was in response to the recent initial plans to merge the South Dakota-based Sanford system with Minnesota’s Fairview-based system. Every Minnesotan deserves access to quality care and my bill will help ensure that remains possible in potential future mergers. You can read my press release here.

Expanding PTSD Care for Public Safety Workers

The Minnesota House also recently passed with broad bipartisan support House File 1234, legislation to ensure police, fire, and public safety workers can access mental health treatment to receive duty disability benefits from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) or the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). You can read the Star Tribune’s coverage of the legislation here. 

Paid Family and Medical Leave

The Minnesota Legislature has passed Paid Family and Medical Leave. The House bill provides Minnesota workers up to 12 weeks of partially paid family leave to care for family or themselves. The program is funded by a small employer and employee contribution, meaning lost wages from time off will be recovered by the state fund, not employers.  

Every day in Minnesota, workers face the impossible choice of either going to work to earn a paycheck or staying home to take care of themselves or a sick family member. While some workers have jobs that provide paid sick leave, thousands of Minnesotans do not have access to a single paid day off. As a third-generation small business owner and father, I was proud to support it.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5506 with questions, input, or to let me know if I can help. 

You’re welcome to follow me on my Facebook page for more community and Capitol updates. 

Thank you for the honor of representing you in St. Paul!

Sincerely,

Robert Bierman
State Representative