Legislative Update- December 23, 2023

Greetings Eastsiders,

My heart is heavy after learning we lost a giant in our community and state a few weeks ago.  As a valued member of our community, Tou Ger Xiong made significant contributions to our Hmong community and all of Minnesota -- making it a better place for all of us.

Tou Ger was a comedian and an educational leader in the schools. He was an inspiration to younger generations who saw Tou Ger Xiong as a successful refugee entrepreneur. I remember meeting Tou Ger for the first time when I was a college student at St. Olaf College. We discussed the challenges of studying at a small college where the majority of the student body looked different than us. With his comedy and work for human rights, he inspired me to do more.

As we mourn the loss of Tou Ger Xiong, let us take a moment to reflect on how we can be more like Tou Ger and include more humor and activism in our lives.

Thank you for the gift of you, Tou Ger.

A Candlelight Vigil in memory of Tou Ger Xiong will take place today from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. All are welcome.

It’s hard to believe the holidays are already upon us; for our neighbors who celebrate Hannaukah, I hope you were able to enjoy a peaceful holiday. Diwali’s festival of lights occurred in early November. Many in our Hmong community celebrated the New Year shortly after Thanksgiving. Christmas is nearly here! It’s a time of celebration; reflection, gratitude, and peace. I wish all of our Eastsiders a very happy holiday season and a 2024 of good health.

Here’s a quick update from the Capitol:

New State Flag & Seal

Minnesota has a new state flag and state seal. The nonpartisan State Emblems Redesign Commission has unveiled its design choice for the state emblems and will submit them in a full report to the Legislature by the end of the month. The recommendations provided in the Commission’s report are final and will be adopted as the new state emblems on May 11, 2024. 

Job Growth in Minnesota

Just announced today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, data shows Minnesota is outpacing the national job growth rate with 9,500 jobs gained from October to November, the fifth straight month of growth. The best way to grow our economy is by growing the middle class, and that’s what DFLers in the Legislature are focused on doing right now. We will continue to look ahead to 2024 to build more opportunity for all Minnesotans.

Statewide Bonding Tour Concludes

At the end of November, the House Capital Investment Committee, of which I’m a serving member, visited infrastructure and community resource sites throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs, completing the final leg of their statewide tour. On the Eastside, we stopped to visit the Conway Recreation Center, Eastside Freedom Library, and Metro State University. FAWK and 30,000 Feet Black Arts Center also shared their project proposals with the committee.

Throughout this fall, for a total of 14 days on the road, the House Capital Investment Committee visited over 80 cities, broken down into five regional trips, hearing hundreds of projects.  

Capital Investment bills - or bonding bills - fund improvements of public assets including higher education institutions, wastewater treatment plants, roads and bridges, transit, parks, trails, municipal buildings, and opportunities for economic growth within communities. The committee will begin crafting their proposal for the 2024 Capital Investment bill when the 2024 Legislative Session starts on February 12th.

New Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1

During the 2023 legislative session, DFL lawmakers advanced numerous other measures Minnesotans have been advocating to become law, many of which also take effect January 1. 

Minnesota’s new earned sick and safe time (ESST) law is one of those, and will ensure all Minnesota employees can earn paid sick leave. Under this law, all workers will have the opportunity to stay home when sick. Employers must provide each employee in Minnesota at least one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked and up to at least 48 hours of accrued ESST a year. This is the right thing to do for Minnesota’s workers and our economy, and it also protects public health. You can find a full FAQ of this important new law here.

Several other significant initiatives will take effect at the beginning of the year, including Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent gun violence, access to menstrual products for students, a ban on employers prying for salary info from prospective employees, protections for meatpacking workers and more will soon become law. 

A full list of these new laws is available here.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4201 with questions, input, or to let me know how I can help. 

It’s an honor to serve our Eastside neighbors at the Capitol.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Jay Xiong
State Representative