Dear Neighbors,
Legislators have returned to St. Paul for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, but Minnesotans’ values and the values that guide my work at the Capitol haven’t changed. We know that Minnesotans care about each other and want to see one another succeed.
Whether it’s world-class schools, affordable health care, gun violence prevention, local jobs projects, Paid Family & Medical Leave, or Earned Sick & Safe Time, these are priorities for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.
If you have a personal story, idea, or question related to business at the State Capitol, please get in touch. You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/49b and connect with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateRepSteveElkins. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here.
Continue reading to learn more about what I’ve been up to lately and what I hope we can accomplish together in this year’s legislative session.
On Sunday, the Star Tribune published my opinion article about the need to remove regulatory and fiscal barriers to the creation of more affordable housing. I’ve had really positive feedback about the article, especially from respected housing and development policy experts.
Twin Cities housing: The ‘flaming hoops’ separating builders and cities
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I’ll be developing a comprehensive bill that embodies the kinds of compromises described in my article and, in the meantime, I will support legislation already moving in the House this year. This is a bonding year, and I expect that we’ll supplement the $60 million for housing bonds that we appropriated last year to build affordable housing with a much larger amount this year. In addition, I am a co-author on Rep. Michael Howard’s bill to supplement the Federal Housing Choice Voucher program with State funds for the first time. This program is so underfunded that the region’s Housing & Redevelopment Authorities have to hold lotteries to award the scarce vouchers to low-income working families. I’m also a co-author on Rep. Brad Tabke’s bill to enable cities to assess development impact fees to recover the cost of new roads serving new development, as described in my article.
Precinct Caucuses
Next Tuesday, February 25th, is Precinct Caucus Day. While Minnesota will be holding a presidential primary election on March 3rd, this year, the precinct caucuses are still the best way to connect with fellow Minnesotans to get involved in this year’s elections, at all levels. Participants in the caucuses will elect your party leadership and consider resolutions for changes to party platforms. I intend to participate in my party’s caucuses in Bloomington. The best way to find where your Caucus is with the Secretary of States precinct Caucus finder tool, access it here. All Caucuses begin at 7:00pm.
Voter Privacy Update
The House Government Operations Committee, which I sit on, passed a bipartisan bill (HF 3068) which would address the data privacy concerns relating to the Minnesota Presidential Primary. It is important that we allow voters to determine what information they are willing to give regarding their party ballot selection in our Presidential Primary. You can read more about this issue here.
Keep In Touch
Please contact me anytime with questions, input, or ideas. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 49B
Minnesota House of Representatives
515 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-7803