Dear Neighbors,
The 2020 legislative session is off to a fast start. Committee hearings begin early in the morning and last into the evening. Since this is not a budget year, this session will be shorter, and the deadline schedule is very tight.
In committee this week, two of my bills received a hearing; HF 3092 directs Met Council to take a serious look at an arterial bus rapid transit line on the Central Avenue NE corridor which would take passengers from downtown along Central Ave and University Ave to the Northtown Transit Center. I also had a hearing for HF 3089 which funds a graduate medical education fellowship program for addiction medicine specialist. Through my work on the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Task Force, I have learned that there is a workforce shortage in the addiction and recovery field.
Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act Introduced
The 2020 legislative session kicked off with a bold proposal to invest $500 million in early care and learning targeted at Minnesotans from birth to age three. We face two crises: education opportunity gaps and inaccessible and unaffordable childcare. In 2020, House DFLers will invest in early care and learning to support families and close education opportunity gaps –Children, parents, and childcare providers all stand to benefit from our proposal. Read more in this story from the Associated Press.
Firefighters visit the Capitol
I enjoyed meeting firefighters during their visit to the Capitol this week. We talked about the legislative issues impacting our Minnesota Fire Service including the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program. Thank you, firefighters, for your bravery and for being an effective force for keeping Minnesotans safe.
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During session, you can contact me at rep.erin.koegel@house.mn or (651) 296-5369.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Erin Koegel
State Representative