Dear Edina Neighbors and Community Members,
Early Thursday morning, we adjourned the Minnesota House after passing our last budget bills and the Taxes Omnibus Bill. We were able to deliver strong bipartisan budget bills to ensure that Minnesotans have accessibility and a good quality of life. Our budget invests in the success of our State and its people. It delivers a tax bill that supports business by investing in grants and by not taxing any of the PPP loans that businesses received to stay afloat during the pandemic. I am proud to report that yesterday, Gov. Walz finished signing all 2021 budget bills into law.
Over the past few weeks, we have been able to pass several key bipartisan budgets in a number of areas to ensure Minnesotans can access resources, investments and recover from the impacts of this pandemic. If you’d like to get caught up on the bills we’ve passed the last two weeks, you can find nonpartisan summaries of the bills and the process around them here:
- Higher Education
- Commerce, Climate and Energy
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Housing
- Jobs and Labor
- Health and Human Services
- Legacy
- Environment and Natural Resources
- E-12 Education
- Public Safety and Judiciary
- State Government, Veterans, and Elections. Please take note that within this bill, we as a legislative body came to an agreement to end the Governor’s Emergency Powers.
- Bonding
While full details of budget bills can be found above, below are some short highlights that I would like to point out:
Environment
Minnesotans are proud of our environment and abundant natural resources. That’s why we’re investing in protecting and enhancing our water, air, land, and wildlife so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations of Minnesotans. This bill also addresses important, time sensitive environmental issues facing Minnesota including: Emerald Ash BorerPollinator Protections Protecting our deers by addressing Chronic Wasting Disease
COVID-19 brought new light to numerous disparities in our healthcare system. This session we were able to successfully secure resources to close many of these gaps through expanded coverage for pregnant women, new coverage for dental services, enhanced services for children with asthma, and increased diversity within our mental health workforce.
Health and Human Services
I’m also proud to report that several of the provisions I chief authored made it into the final bill including rate increases for Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and the Sober Home Study I worked closely on with NAMI!
E-12 Education
It’s been a long day at the Legislature but I’m proud to report that we passed the E-12 Budget Bill with strong bipartisan support! After an unprecedented year caused by the pandemic, we have the responsibility to invest in the resources our students need to catch up and thrive into the future.
This E-12 Education Budget Bill includes:
- Increase in per pupil spending
- $3 million for Statewide LETRS Training
- Recovery Education Funds
- Investments in recruiting and retaining teachers of color
- Come Teach in MN Hiring Bonuses
State Government Operations and Veterans Affairs
This bill invests in a responsive state government, free and fair elections for our State and our duty to honor those who have served with dignity and gratitude.
Housing
Minnesotans deserve safe, secure, and affordable housing. The Minnesota affordable housing crisis predates this COVID-19 pandemic, but now, with the approved compromise agreement with the Senate on the Housing budget, will invest in innovative solutions to take on housing insecurity as we build back from the pandemic. This legislation protects renters and provides resources for housing providers whose tenants have not been able to pay rent during COVID-19. It also provides affordable housing around the state through public and private investments.
We fought hard for the inclusion of an orderly off-ramp to our current eviction moratorium. Our housing budget gives both renters and landlords the time they need to take advantage of federal funds. You can read the news release here and watch the debate on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.
Commerce, Climate, Energy
Minnesota is one of the fastest warming states in the country and experiencing the impacts of climate change. To combat this approaching crisis, we must take action to protect our health, our environment, our farms, and our infrastructure. The Energy budget invests in a new Energy Transition Office, and innovative projects and research that will help Minnesota transition to clean energy. We also secured funding to install solar energy panels on schools, saving school districts money while providing educational opportunities for students.
The Commerce budget tackles the record-high catalytic converter theft problem with a series of reforms to deter theft and keep Minnesotans’ cars intact. In addition, our budget contains the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights, which gives students a fighting chance against the worst lending practices.
Taxes
Our bipartisan tax bill benefits workers and small businesses harmed by the pandemic, including those who received unemployment insurance benefits and federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. I am proud to report that we were able to secure full conformity to not tax PPP loans and UI benefits (upto $10,200).
Transportation
We approved a Transportation budget that invests in all of the ways people move around in our state (roads, bridges, trains, buses, bikes, and by foot). Our budget addresses racial and economic disparities by reforming the way unpaid tickets are handled, ensures students can travel to and from school safely, and reduces unnecessary traffic stops. In recognition of the fact that transportation is Minnesota’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, it also establishes sustainability goals that will help cut carbon emissions and protect air and water quality.
This Bill also includes funding for a new Bus Rapid Transit Line, the E-Line that will connect Edina to Downtown and Dinkytown.
Higher Education
Minnesota students faced many unprecedented challenges over the past year, and our Higher Education budget will help them recover by making investments in our young leaders. This legislation will help ensure our students can thrive as they move forward in the post-pandemic workforce, with key funding for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems, as well as an increase to the State Grant program that will positively impact more than 75,000 students.
Agriculture and Broadband
The compromise Agriculture budget recognizes the value Minnesotans place on clean water, soil, and air, and looks to the future of farming in Minnesota. Our farmers and food producers need and deserve tools, support, and resources so they can not only recover from the past year’s difficulties, but succeed well into the future. The budget invests in emerging farmer outreach, urban and youth agriculture, the Farm-to-School initiative, Good Food Access, and funding for environmentally friendly production practices and conservation techniques.
Legacy
Our Legacy bill invests proceeds from the voter-approved constitutional amendment to protect and enhance Minnesota’s outdoor heritage, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. Since 2010, the Legacy Amendment has generated more than $4 billion for initiatives that benefit people and communities across Minnesota and this legislation builds on that success. Our Legacy bill also invests in water safety grants, including funding to provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk children.
Jobs and Labor
The Jobs and Labor budget provides $8 million in childcare grants to increase the number of providers throughout Minnesota. The budget also includes the Helmets to Hardhats provision I co-authored, which connects transitioning active-duty military service members, veterans, National Guard and Reservists with skilled training opportunities in the construction industry.
Public Safety
The Public Safety and Judiciary budget we approved a bill this week that invests in the public safety of our State while also seeking to build trust between law enforcement and communities. The bill also increases public defenders, funds the courts and prisons- as well as addresses economic inequalities in our criminal justice system.
As a Public Safety Committee member I am proud to report that I was able to have several important bills I chief authored and co-authored including:
- The Hometown Hero’s Assistance Program that helps firefighters and their families who have been impacted by cancer.
- Increase to base and general funding for Youth Intervention Grants and alternatives for youth to incarceration.
- 911 Extension Fee that will help us update and improve our emergency communication system.
- Sexual assault advocacy provisions that include fixing the voluntary intoxication loophole and passage of the Safe Harbor Law lead by an Edina student as well as University of Minnesota students that removes prosecution of a minor from underage drinking or consumption charges when reporting a sexual assault.
- The Health Start Act ensures incarcerated moms are not immediately separated from their newborn babies and seeks to find solutions to keep mom and baby together.
Town Hall Recap and Virtual Access
On Monday, June 28th Senator Franzen and Representatives Elkins and I joined community members for a virtual town hall in coordination with the League of Women Voters. I want to thank all attendees and the League for moderating. If you were not able to attend – you can watch the video here.
As we closed the 2021 session, I want to thank you for entrusting me to serve you and our community at the Minnesota State Capitol. I hope you and your families have a relaxing 4th of July celebration and Summer!
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn or 651-296-4363 with your input or questions. You’re welcome also to follow me or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative