Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the House adjourned special session after finishing up work to pass a bipartisan state budget. As the only divided state legislature in the country, and with several challenges operating remotely amid a global pandemic, I’m glad we could find common ground on strategies to help our families, students, workers, and small businesses recover from COVID-19, and stabilize our local economy so everyone in our state can thrive. Here’s an update on our work from the Capitol:
Health and Human Services Budget
With a background in health care delivery and as a member of the Health Finance and Preventative Health committees, I’ve worked extensively in this area of the budget. Our Health and Human Services budget aims to improve Minnesota’s health care system and expand access to affordable care. It invests in our public health infrastructure, strengthens behavioral and mental health services, addresses inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes, increases pay for personal care assistants (PCAs) who help people live independently, and includes several pieces of legislation I carried including increased telehealth investments, Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for enhanced asthma care services, and expanded MA coverage for post-partum care for new moms from 60 days to 12 months.
The pandemic highlighted many gaps in health care access. Through these bipartisan investments – and some significant policy solutions to reduce disparities – our HHS budget moves us closer to making sure every Minnesotan has access to the care they need to experience a healthy future and a strong quality of life.
Public Safety and Judiciary Budget
The Public Safety and Judiciary Budget was a bipartisan compromise and aims to improve public safety for everyone across the state. I am grateful for the public service of our local law enforcement professionals in 33B who help preserve peace and help keep us safe while respecting our constitutional and human rights. Following the senseless, high-profile tragedies Minnesota has seen over the years, this area of the budget balances some accountability measures with increased funding for law enforcement, so our police officers can stay safe on the job as well.
It contains increased funding for Violent Crime Enforcement Teams, additional money for training, and salary increases for state troopers, DNR conservation officers, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents.
Among many other things, our Public Safety budget also funded the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer or heart disease, and education materials for firefighters on cancer, heart disease, and emotional trauma, including suicide prevention. More information on our Public Safety budget agreement is available here.
Taxes Budget
As a result of the federal American Rescue Plan, Minnesota received the funding to both provide targeted tax cuts to workers and small businesses and fund our priorities in order to build out of the pandemic quickly. For workers who struggled over the past year, our bipartisan Taxes bill exempts pandemic unemployment insurance from state income taxes, and similarly exempts Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds struggling businesses received. In another measure to help frontline workers who have sacrificed their health to keep us safe during the pandemic, the bill has $250 million worth of financial support for these heroes.
This newsletter only scratches the surface of the work we accomplished for Minnesotans at the Capitol this year. House Public Information Services has many resources with other information available here.
MN Council on Disabilities Recognition
I am grateful to partner with the Minnesota Council on Disabilities on several overdue solutions to improve our state for Minnesotans living with disabilities. One piece of legislation I’ve been working on with the council would help promote inclusivity and increase dignity by adding adult-sized changing facilities to public restrooms in Minnesota.
Thank you for your partnership and for this recognition, Minnesota Council on Disability!
Connected to Community
It was great to see the progress made on the Excelsior Commons’ new pavilion yesterday, celebrating at the grand opening with our incredible community. I’m happy to have authored the bill that allowed a small local sales tax to help this community-wide effort come to fruition. Thank you to everyone who advocated, spread the word and fund raised to make this project possible! It was an incredible community effort that everyone will enjoy and benefit from.
Town Hall in the Park- Join us Tomorrow!
I’ll be hosting a “Town Hall in the Park” in Shorewood this Saturday to deliver an in-person, nonpartisan update from the Capitol. We’ll gather at 10:00 a.m. at Badger Park Picnic Shelter on that Saturday. Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there.
Keep in Touch
Even if you can’t stop by tomorrow, I hope you’ll continue to reach out with input, questions, or to let me know how I can be of assistance. You can reach me via email at rep.kelly.morrison@house.mn or by telephone at 651-296-4315. You’re also welcome to follow me on Facebook here for more community and legislative updates.
Thank you for the honor of serving our wonderful 33B communities at the State Capitol.
Wishing you a happy and safe weekend.
Take care,
Kelly