Dear Neighbors,
Another week has flown by at the State Capitol. Here’s a quick update.
First bills signed by Governor Walz
Signing my first bill enrollment as Speaker.
Governor Walz signed the first bills of the Legislative Session this week. As Speaker of the House, I play a role in the final steps of how the bill gets signed into law. Once a bill has passed the House and Senate, the President of the Senate and I have to sign the final form of the bill — also known as the enrollment — and only when it gets that 3rd signature from the governor does the bill become a law. It was pretty neat to sign my first one as Speaker this week.
The first bill signed included funding to improve the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System – to reduce wait times and increase efficiency for Minnesotans. The second bill solved a problem created by the previous Legislature when they unnecessarily borrowed against the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Because of this, a number of important projects — including the Andover landfill cleanup — were held up by litigation. Moving quickly to fund the Andover landfill cleanup is critically important to residents of the north metro area.
This is an example of how divided government can work if we’re willing to work together, find solutions, and compromise.
Equal Rights Amendment passes House
House DFL women before the floor debate on the Equal Rights Amendment.
Yesterday, the Minnesota House passed the Equal Rights Amendment as a ballot question for the 2020 election. If passed in the Senate, the following question would be put to voters: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of gender?”
It was fitting for us to vote on this proposed amendment during Women’s History Month, and today is International Women’s Day. Minnesota women deserve equal rights in all aspects of life, and everyone should have full equality under our Constitution.
Insulin for All Day at the Capitol
James Holt, Nicole Smith-Holt, former Rep. Erin Murphy, and Rep. Michael Howard testify in support of the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act.
On Tuesday, the House Commerce Committee heard several bills to address the rapidly increasing cost of insulin, including the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act. Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford the lifesaving medications they need.
Tuesday was also Insulin for All Day at the Minnesota State Capitol, with Minnesotans sharing their stories and struggles accessing affordable insulin. Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt testified in committee, sharing the story of their son Alec, who lost his life when we was forced to ration his insulin because he could not afford it.
You can learn more about the legislation here.
Clean Energy Community Education Grants
The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources compiles some of the latest local, state, and federal funding opportunities related to energy research, development, education, and other energy-related topics. Some of the most recent opportunities, including a new Clean Energy Community Education Grant Program offered by Commerce, are all available on the Commerce website.
Open Appointments Update
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. The full list of 843 vacancies can be found here.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or at rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman