Dear Neighbors,
Last week was a busy one at the State Capitol, full of new conversations and Minnesotans who are too often overlooked by the work of the legislature. Last Tuesday, I presented my “Trans Refuge” bill to the House Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. It was a first of its kind hearing on this topic for Minnesota, and an incredibly important one to have given the political climate on trans rights.
Minnesota is a state that prides itself on providing world-class health care, but as extreme anti-trans legislation appears in numerous states, including our neighbors, Minnesota must also become a safe harbor for those seeking gender-affirming care. I want to thank all the testifiers: doctors, parents, and advocates, who joined us to dispel rumors and lift up the real lives at stake with this legislation. Gender-affirming care is vital, life-saving health care, and it deserves to be protected in Minnesota. You can watch my opening statement here.
The majority of the hearing was full of moving, impactful, and scientifically accurate testimony. If you’d like, you can watch the hearing in its entirety here. This bill would turn Minnesota into a trans refuge state by protecting trans people, their families, and medical practitioners from legal repercussions for traveling to Minnesota to receive gender-affirming care.
I want to especially lift up the testimony of Hao Nguyen, a father who is just doing whatever he can to support his trans daughter. You can watch his moving testimony here.
I look forward to continuing this conversation. You can read more about the bill, and our hearing, here.
Driver’s Licenses for All
We also passed a long-awaited bill to right a wrong committed two decades ago by reinstating the ability for our undocumented neighbors to earn a driver’s license - and all the dignity and responsibility that comes with one.
Without driver’s licenses, it has been extremely difficult for tens of thousands of Minnesotans to reliably get to their jobs, school, and medical appointments in a manner that did not put themselves at risk. It’s a bill that keeps families together and makes our roads safer. It is necessary, just, and I was extremely proud to cast my vote for it.
The legislation is currently making its way through the Senate, and once passed there, Governor Walz intends to sign it into law.
100% Clean Energy by 2040
The last eight years globally have been the hottest on record, and Minnesota is among the top states currently seeing rapid changes to our climate. Scientists know that climate change driven by fossil fuels is impacting our environment, infrastructure, and our health. Minnesota has long been a leader in clean energy, but partisan gridlock in recent years has hindered attempts to combat climate change.
The House DFL majority passed the 100% by 2040 bill, a landmark piece of legislation that I co-authored, which will help our state address climate change head-on and prepare for a carbon-free future. Action at the state level is urgently needed to help the U.S. meet our climate goals. This legislation would require that the state’s utilities use entirely carbon-free sources for electricity production by 2040. This would put us on track with over 20 other states that have also adopted similar goals.
Not only is this legislation critical to protecting our climate, but it also makes economic sense. Wind power is the cheapest form of electricity, and producing solar energy is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures that we remove barriers to setting up carbon-free and renewable power sources and invest in jobs right here in Minnesota. I was proud to cast my vote in support of the 100% by 2040 bill on the House floor and will continue working to address and combat climate change this session.
I’m proud to say Governor Walz signed this bill into law today.
Thursday’s Floor Session
On Thursday, in addition to our debate on the rules that will guide our work this biennium, we also passed two more bills off the House floor - one establishing Juneteenth as an official state holiday, and another restoring the vote to those who have served their prison time for a felony conviction.
Juneteenth commemorates the liberation of African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. By learning from our past we can better address the harmful racial disparities of the present and build a state that is more inclusive for all Minnesotans.
Voting is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and it ensures citizens have a voice in decisions that impact their lives. Twenty-one states automatically restore voting rights after incarceration ends, including red states like North Dakota and blue states like Illinois, but not Minnesota - where the current law disproportionately keeps BIPOC Minnesotans who have served their time from having their voices heard on election day. The bill we passed, which I co-authored, will make the change we need.
This bill also inspired me to give my first floor speech, sharing the story of my friend Cecily.
Stay Connected
If you haven’t yet, you can “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page to keep up with my work. I also invite you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-3824 or rep.leigh.finke@house.mn.gov. I will be happy to assist you.
For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.
It’s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House.
Sincerely,
Leigh Finke
State Representative - 66A