Legislative Update - Moorhead comes to the Capitol

Dear Neighbors, 

It’s a busy time in the Minnesota House with less than a month left in the legislative session, and I got a much-appreciated burst of energy and inspiration thanks to an awesome visit from our Moorhead Seniors!

Students were able to learn about the importance of state government and their role in it through a mock floor session and a Q&A with state legislators. It was a joy to spend a day with these young minds, not only to show off the capitol to them, but to show the capitol the best and brightest Moorhead has to offer!

It’s a bit of a drive to get to St. Paul, and I’m always so grateful to the community members that do so to participate in our state government. Doubly so for students! But these weren’t the only constituents around the capitol recently - you can read about that and more in this latest update.

Clay County Youth Transitional Housing

More community members stopped by this week, this time to help me present a bill to the House Capital Investment Committee. Throughout the state, we simply don’t have the capacity we need right now to help young women, ages 16 to 19, who are involved with social services or the criminal justice system. That’s especially the case in Moorhead and the surrounding communities, which is why I’m carrying legislation to fund the remodel of a facility that will help these girls who do not have a stable family home. 

Commissioner Jenny Mongeau and James O'Donnell, the Superintendent of the West Central Regional Juvenile Center, testified with me, and I want to give a shout out to them and all the county staff that came down to help stress the importance of this bill.

The facility will provide evidence-based programming for residents’ behavioral, social, and emotional needs including case management, education, specialized therapy, substance use disorder treatment, independent living skills, employability skills, community employment opportunities, volunteer and extracurricular activities, physical and mental health services, and transportation.

Serving our youth and preventing homelessness is near and dear to my heart, and this bill takes care of both. Care and treatment for these girls is so important, and if you’re interested you can watch our committee presentation here.

More Policy Proposals Pass House Floor

We’re continuing the process of passing our policy proposals in the Minnesota House, most of these bills being the culmination of our committee work this year. If you’re interested, you can read these nonpartisan summaries of the House’s policy packages we’ve passed in the following areas: Transportation, Early Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Public Safety, Elections, Environment and Natural Resources, Human Services, and Commerce.

There are also some stand-alone issues that we’re revisiting, such as our efforts to responsibly legalize adult-use cannabis and provide support for Minnesota’s renters. 

Last year, we legalized adult-use cannabis. However, buying cannabis legally at a licensed retail business in the state is not set to begin until early next year. The Cannabis Policy bill we passed this year is meant to expedite the process of setting up a good, legitimate marketplace for cannabis to displace that illicit marketplace we currently have. You can read more about what the bill contains here. 

We also passed a strong Tenants’ Rights Policy Bill, which includes provisions to safeguard tenants’ right to organize, protect tenant survivors of domestic violence, clarify tenants’ rights to emergency services, prohibit rental discrimination based on public assistance, and more. More details in the bill are included here.

Arbor Day Celebration

Today is Arbor Day, and DFLers are taking action to protect our environment and honor trees' vital role in our ecosystem. This year, we are investing millions in tree planting grants for communities around our state - and I was thrilled to get my own sapling!

Stay Connected

As we head into the final weeks of the legislative session, now is a great time to reach out with any questions, comments, or ideas you may have on our work to improve our community and state. You also always reach out to my office at rep.heather.keeler@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5515. I look forward to hearing from you!

In community, 

Rep. Heather Keeler

Minnesota House of Representatives