Dear Neighbors,
On Monday, House DFLers reached a budget agreement with Senate Republicans and Governor Walz. We’ve worked very hard in the past few weeks to create a framework for a two-year budget. The bipartisan framework contains $52 billion worth of investments, including some federal COVID-19 relief funds. As you’ll see from the numbers, there are many details yet to be determined, not only in terms of exact spending but in terms of accompanying policy changes. The details of the budget will be ironed out in the next few weeks, with a possibility of a mid June special session.
This week, the House also advanced compromise policy language in the areas of Agriculture, State Government Finance, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance, and Elections, and Health and Human Services. We also passed important legislation that improves mental health access and increases clean energy opportunities in Minnesota.
Civility Caucus Last Meeting for the Legislative Session
Last Monday, we had a great Civility Caucus meeting with both Democrats and Republicans from the Minnesota House and Senate. I’ve found serving in the legislature alongside colleagues with different viewpoints to be an enlightening experience that has better helped me to identify with the underlying emotions and life experiences that result in these differing perspectives. While this doesn’t mean that we will come to an agreement on policy, it does help me to address the disagreement in a more compassionate and simultaneously dispassionate way in order to find a path forward in a bipartisan way. This ability is critically important if we want to actually achieve anything for the people of Minnesota, and I’m grateful for the Civility Caucus giving me more structured opportunities to get to know my Republican colleagues.
It’s been an honor to serve on the Civility Caucus this year with my colleagues, Representative Kristin Robbins, Senator Steve Cwodzinski, Senator Mark Koran, and Dave and Mariah from the Office of Conflict Resolution. Our focus is to build and improve bipartisan collaboration at the Capitol. I’m proud of the work we have done and will continue over the Summer.
Adult-use Cannabis Passed the Minnesota House of Representatives
Last Thursday evening, the Minnesota House passed legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. The comprehensive and solidly vetted bill addresses many of my concerns, thanks in part to the robust state wide listening sessions held throughout Minnesota these past few years. The bill would create a responsibly regulated cannabis market and includes measures to address youth access, public health, and road safety concerns. With 12 committee hearings, it was one of the most carefully vetted pieces of legislation in recent memory. I voted in support of the legislation.
The majority of Minnesotans are ready to make this change. If we make it legal, we can regulate, restrict, tax, and control cannabis use much better than we do now.
In addition, legalizing adult-use cannabis will help address criminal justice inequities created by our current system and allow law enforcement to focus on more serious issues. Currently, Minnesota is spending significant law enforcement resources enforcing low-level cannabis offenses rather than focusing on more serious crimes. This has resulted in significant racial disparities in our criminal justice system and injustice in our communities.
American Rescue Plan: Aid Headed to Minnesota
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan that Congress and President Biden approved earlier this year, Minnesota is set to receive nearly $5 billion in aid. The state will receive $2.8 billion – about $200 million more than expected – and local governments will get $2.1 billion. While some of the aid is intended for specific purposes like rental assistance and small business loans, the rest can be used in a variety of ways. This flexibility will allow governments to work together and meet the unique needs of people and communities across Minnesota. I’ll keep you updated as we receive more information about these funds and how they’ll be used to support Minnesotans.
Federal Aid for Summer School Programing
Yesterday, the Governor and Lt. Governor announced that they will utilize and allocate $75 million from the American Rescue Plan dollars to fund summer school opportunities for Minnesota students to help them catch up academically and emotionally. This is a critical investment in our kids and our families and I applaud the Walz Administration for prioritizing Minnesota students.
New CDC Guidelines
Last Thursday afternoon, Governor Walz announced the end of Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement, aligning Minnesota with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on face coverings. Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are still strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors. Private businesses and local municipalities may still put in place face covering requirements. I understand that Minneapolis and Saint Paul have extended their mask ordinances.
The CDC announced that masks are no longer required for fully-vaccinated individuals, either indoors or outside. Minnesotans should follow CDC guidance and wear masks in medical settings and on public transportation, whether or not they are fully vaccinated.
And Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan, along with the existing face covering guidance for schools and child care settings, remain in effect. For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year masks must continue to be worn by everyone inside school buildings or on a school bus.
Minnesota will join a PYSPACT
The House approved legislation on a vote of 133-0 that would allow Minnesota to join PSYPACT, an interstate compact under which licensed psychologists may practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychology across state boundaries. The compact became operational in 2019 when a seventh state enacted it. Right now, 20 states have enacted the compact, additional states are joining soon, and there is pending legislation to do so in others. At a time when mental health support is needed now more than ever, passage of this measure will help address psychologist shortages and get Minnesotans the care they need.
Stay In Touch
You can stay up to date on our work by subscribing to these legislative updates and “liking” my official Facebook page. For any questions you have on the resources available to our community or our work in the Minnesota House, you can reach me at rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4218. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative