2023/2024 Legislative Work
“The 2023 MN legislative session was historic and transformational.”
I worked as part of the DFL majorities in the House and Senate to move beyond the years of gridlock and pass legislation to make Minnesotans lives better, safer, and more affordable. Below are some of my highlights of the past biennium.
Healthcare
In 2023 and 2024 I was honored to continue my service on the Health Finance and Policy Committee as Vice Chair. Many of our priorities were signed into law including:
Protect Reproductive Options Act which establishes our fundamental right to reproductive health care. (HF 1)
Paid Family and Medical Leave & Safe and Sick time so in MN you don’t have to sacrifice your health or your family’s health for your job. (HF 2 and HF 19)
My bill protecting the U of M medical facilities from being purchased by an out of state entity and establishing Public Interest in statute regarding healthcare mergers and acquisitions. (HF 402)
Mental Health Grants and the creation of 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
Steps toward universal access to affordable quality healthcare, pharmaceutical anti-price gouging laws (HF 17), and expanding Medicare coverage.
My bill (HF 4853) putting into place HMO transaction oversight provisions, including prohibiting a non-profit health entity from entering into a conversion transaction under certain circumstances. This insures full and fair value of public assets and maintains them for the public good.
My bill (HF 4047) provides for skilled nursing through the Pediatric to Home Transition Program. This helps to alleviates situations in which children with medical complexities remain in hospitals due to lack of skilled home nursing care and provides better health outcomes for kids while lowering costs for the medical system.
I co-authored the bill (HF 3578) to create reforms to Insurance Prior Authorization, including a prohibition on the practice for certain services.
“I am passionate about having a healthy planet for generations to come.”
Environment
I served my 5th and 6th years on the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee. In the MN House we passed environmentally important legislation which the Governor then signed into law.
100% Clean Electric Energy by 2040. (HF 7)
Phasing out hazardous PFAs chemicals and protecting our groundwater. (HF 1000 and HF 742)
Advancing the electrification of the transportation system, reducing pollution and expanding consumer options.
My weatherization legislation helping homeowners and renters reduce their energy cost. (HF 2014)
I co-authored the bill to expand the Solar on Schools program to reduce energy costs. (HF 2747)
Education
2023 was the most historic legislative session for education in 50 years and I voted for the following bills that were signed into law.
Universal free breakfast and lunches for students. No child should be hungry while trying to learn at school. (HF 5)
Over $52 million in new revenue for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan schools to recruit the best teachers, lower class sizes, and improve student achievement. (HF 2497)
Address student mental health and college/career prep with more counselors, nurses, social workers, and mental health grants. (HF 564 and HF 2497)
Reducing the Special Education Cross-subsidy. (HF 18)
Linking the General Education Formula to inflation. (HF 439)
The READ Act to provide teachers training in delivering evidence based literacy curriculums. (HF 629)
Free MN public college tuition for families earning up to $80,000. (HF 2073)
“I am honored to serve on the Commerce and Ethics committees in 2023 and 2024.”
Public Safety
I am deeply concerned about the safety of all Minnesotans and voted for the following bills that were all signed into law.
Universal background checks for all gun purchases. (HF 14)
Extreme Risk protection orders (Red Flag laws) to reduce gun violence. (HF 15)
Increased penalties for straw purchasers of guns (HF 2609) and banning binary triggers.
$2.4 million increase in public safety aid for the Apple Valley Police Department.
“As a lifelong Minnesotan, I know the importance of investing in our communities.”
Community
As a lifelong Minnesotan, I understand the importance of investing in our infrastructure, our people, and our communities. I was proud to vote for the following legislation that has all been signed into law.
Strengthened your right to vote easily and securely. (HF 3)
Tax breaks, rebates and property tax cuts for Minnesotan families. (HF 1938)
Eliminating state taxes for social security and public pension earnings for seniors earning up to $100,000. (HF 1938)
Investing in record levels of road and bridge maintenance to reduce congestion and improve safety. (HF 2887)
Investments to reconstruct the MN Zoo’s Plaza and plans to improve the animal hospital. (HF 669)
147th Street Pedestrian Bridge to improve safety on Cedar Ave. in Apple Valley. (HF 1351)
New Accessible Playground at Redwood Park. (HF 1352)
Secure rights for LGBTQA+ Minnesotans. (HF 146)
My bill (HF 4587) that reduces the driver safety course time (from 8 hours to 4 hours) for all seniors to be able to obtain a 10% discount on their car insurance.