I hope you’re having a great week and enjoying the sunshine. We’ve just wrapped up week four and we’re moving along swiftly and efficiently with the legislative process. Bills are being heard in committee, moving to the floor, or being laid over to be included in part of a bigger package. We have been hearing individual bills on the House floor as well. We received the February forecast this week. These are the numbers that let us know if there will be money to supplement the larger state budget that we set last session. Finance committees now wait for leadership in the House and Senate to meet, along with the Governor’s office, to set those supplemental budget targets our committees may have a chance to spend.
Thank you to all who continue to participate in our Community Conversations! The last Community Conversations in March will be held tomorrow, March 9th in St. Louis Park at 12:30 p.m. Here are the details below:
Our District 46 Team is also hosting a town hall meeting next Tuesday, March 12th at 6:00 p.m. at St. Louis City Hall in the council chambers. As always, this event is free, nonpartisan, and open to all constituents. I hope to see you there!
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
House and Floor Action
On Monday, the Minnesota House passed comprehensive legislation to require a statewide standard of the basic training required for School Resource Officers. To minimize harmful, disparate engagements between SROs and students, the legislation also expressly prohibits SROs from being used to deliver discipline for violation of school policies. As chair of the House Education Finance Committee, I was glad to contribute to the bipartisan work that went into fine tuning this bill because all of our kids deserve to be safe at school.
On Thursday, we passed legislation to fund 101 projects across our state that protect our wildlife, water, air, and soil. We also advanced legislation fine tuning bills dealing with the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Department of Direct Care and Treatment.
Forecast Adjustment to Account for the Popularity of Universal Free Meals
On Wednesday, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee approved legislation to adjust state formula funded programs to match the updated February 2024 budget forecast. The biggest changes in this bill are related to the overwhelming popularity of universal school breakfast and lunch programs which lawmakers enacted in 2023. Participation in the universal school meals program surpassed the initially anticipated increase by more than 20%. The adjusted forecast bill is on its way to the House Ways & Means Committee and then on to the House floor where I will present it for passage.
Today, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long came to Minnesota to celebrate the 4.3 million more breakfasts and 4.5 million more lunches that were served to Minnesota students last fall than in the same period in 2022.
Committee Work
On Tuesday this week, the House Education Finance committee held a day dedicated to student voices. We heard from several youths in various school districts about the positive impacts of our historic 2023 Education Budget. You can watch a recap of our meeting here. In the Education Committee this week, along with a variety of bills, we also heard an overview of the great work the Career and Technical Education Consortiums are doing across the state to make sure our students have access to career exploration and opportunities to start along the pathways to those careers.
EMT Training/Paramedic Scholarships Available
DFLers are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One of these initiatives that I supported funds a one-time appropriation of $3 million will provide up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 each starting Fall 2024 to be awarded by June 30, 2026. If you or anyone you know might be interested in this opportunity to serve the public and give back to the community, you can find eligibility information here.
Connected to Community
A big thank you to Sergeant Jepson with the Edina Police Department for the ride along last Friday night! We spent from 6 p.m. to midnight together and I was very impressed by her professionalism, as well as her commitment to the community of Edina. Thank you for all you do!
Students, School Boards, and Administrators Visit the Capitol
There was a tremendous turnout at the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) Day on the Hill! At their morning kick-off meeting, I had a chance to speak with student leaders, school board members, and administrators from across the state to thank them for helping shape public education policy in Minnesota. I was excited to see such a large presence from Edina Schools who brought dozens of students who are part of their Legislative Action Coalition to meet with their legislators. I also had a chance to connect with students, schoolboard members, and Superintendents from Hopkins and St. Louis Park. And finally, a group from the Duluth School District here for Duluth Days.
This week I had the pleasure of meeting with several constituents and organizations representing various advocacy groups, including Rare Disease Council, PACER Center, National Kidney Foundation, Minnesota Association of College Admission Counselors, Carpenters Union, and Minnesota School Social Workers. I also had a chance to catch up with folks here with the City of St. Louis Park and Hopkins to talk City issues. It was quite a busy week!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of serving our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol.
“Children deserve to see themselves reflected in their school environments, whether in their teachers or in the curriculum they are learning from,” said Rep. Youakim. “Last session we made a substantial investment in continuing to ensure more teachers of color are in the classroom, helping current and future generations to thrive.”
Rep. Youakim is being recognized for her unwavering support over the years for the Increase Teachers of Color Act, and for including the proposal in the historic 2023 Education Budget Bill as Chair of the Education Finance Committee.
Happy March! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the first day of our Meteorological Spring (although it’s felt like spring for some time!).
A big thank you to everyone who continues to turn out for our Community Conversations! Hearing from you and being able to connect in the community is the best part of this work. My next Community Conversations in March will be held on March 6th and March 9th. Here are the details below:
Our District 46 Team is also hosting a town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:00 p.m . As always, this event is free, nonpartisan, and open to all constituents. I hope to see you there!
Budget Forecast Shows Minnesota is on the Right Path
On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget officials released a new economic budget forecast showing Minnesota’s economy is growing and our long-term budget outlook is stable. We are in a strong position to weather unforeseen challenges down the road.
We are growing the middle class through jobs with good pay, benefits, and working conditions, so Minnesotans can build better lives. Our economic outlook is a testament to the strength and resiliency of Minnesotans, and we will continue to manage our state’s finances in an effective, responsible manner while being responsive to challenges facing people and communities across the state.
Floor and Committee Action
This week, the House met on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday to procedurally move bills from different committees and introduce new bills. You can find the new bill introductions here.
In the Education Finance Committee, which I chair, we heard a variety of bills to invest in our student and teacher success. We also heard a bill I am carrying to increase investments into the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR system), which we included in our education budget last year.
Presenting my legislation to support the BARR System in schools.
On Thursday, I was proud to stand with approximately 1,000 teachers in the Capitol Rotunda as they rallied for fair pensions. Minnesota teachers go above and beyond to shape a positive experience for our students when they’re learning and growing. They deserve a secure retirement and I look forward to continuing this conversation.
On Friday, I toured the Edina Early Childhood Center and visited with their Director, Leah Byrd, ECSE Director Emily Cory, and Anne Marie Leland who is the Director of Community Education & Strategic Partnerships. They are all doing incredible work serving our youngest learners, as well as the adults in the students’ lives!
On Friday afternoon, Rep. Larry Kraft and I visited a HealthPartners dental clinic site. The coordinated care they have with HealthPartners physicians is an incredible model! Thank you Dr. David Louis, Dr. Arpana Narang, and Clinic Manager Kayla Johnson for the information and the visit.
Minnesota’s Presidential Primary
Minnesota’s Presidential Primary is coming up on Tuesday, March 5 for our major political parties, and early voting is already open. Learn more, including your polling location, from the Secretary of State’s website.
Child Tax Credit Reminder
If you haven’t filed your 2023 taxes yet, don’t forget about claiming the new Minnesota Child Tax Credit! This is available to all Minnesotans, including those who file with ITIN numbers.
If you have questions or need help, don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Small Business Environmental Zero-Interest Loan Program
Small businesses can reduce on-site air emissions, clean up contamination, or generate less waste by applying for the MPCA Small Business Environmental Loan program. The program offers zero-interest loans up to $75,000 to tackle these high-impact projects. You can learn more and apply here.
Connected to Community
This week, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet with several constituent groups, advocating on a variety of issues for their “Days on the Hill”. I met with our Fire Chiefs and officers from Hopkins and St. Louis Park to talk about their needs around safety and pensions. On Youth Day on the Hill, I met with the amazing students from the Future Farmers of America (FFA). And, I met with the student board from MyHealth who talked to me about banning flavored tobacco. There was a wonderful visit with a CPA from our community that talked about the need for more CPAs in the workforce. Finally, I had the chance to meet with a dentist from St. Louis Park for Dental Day on the Hill who talked about workforce needs and access to quality care.
These meetings are rewarding and I appreciate seeing familiar faces and meeting new neighbors at these events.
Grateful for our Fire hometown heroes and all they do to keep us safe.
FFA Day at the Capitol.
Great visit with the student board of MyHealth to talk about banning flavored tobacco.
MNCPA Day at the Capitol.
Congrats, Edina Girls Hockey!
Kudos to the Edina Girls Hockey team for clinching the 2024 Championship for its fifth Class AA state title. This win is a reflection of your hard work and determination.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions, input, or to let me know how I can help. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol.
I watched the news coming out of Burnsville on Sunday with a heavy heart. Our Police, Fire, and EMS departments in our communities are families who care for each other as they care for us. That sense of community is being shown by an outpouring of grief and support from across Minnesota. My deepest condolences go out to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of the heroic first responders who protected the young children and mother by responding to the call. I am especially grateful for our public safety teams in our communities of Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina as well as the team that protects us at the Capitol.
On Monday, legislators representing the Burnsville area delivered remarks and asked for a moment of silence, which you can watch here.
A big thank you to everyone who turned out for our Community Conversations! Hearing from you and being able to connect in the community is the best part of this work. My next Community Conversations in March will be held on March 6th and March 9th. Here are the details below:
Town Hall Meeting
Mark your calendars! Senator Latz, Rep. Kraft, and I are hosting a District 46 Town Hall Meeting on March 12 at the St. Louis Park City Hall Chambers (5005 Minnetonka Blvd.) from 6:00-7:30 p.m. I hope you can make it and please share the information with neighbors who may be interested in attending. Everybody is welcome!
Floor and Committee Work
The legislature continues its work. We had floor sessions on Monday and Thursday this week and committees met to hear various bills. On the House floor on Monday, we passed a tax fix bill to make sure that working and middle class Minnesotans receive the full benefit of the 2023 Tax Act. The Senate passed the bill as well and it is headed ot the Governor’s desk for his signature. In the House Education Finance Committee, I held a hearing to highlight the investments for our schools that we prioritized in our two-year state budget. This included several presentations from urban, suburban, and rural school districts. All expressed gratitude for being able to hire more teachers with the increase on the formula, provide more mental health support to students, and the overwhelming support and demand for universal school meals. You can watch a recap of our committee hearing here.
Connected to Community
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet with several constituents advocating with various organizations on issues important to them. These included Minnesota Care Expansion Lobby day, Occupational Therapy Day, and meeting with a group of Rotarians from across the state. Hearing from Minnesotans advocating for what they care about is one of the best parts of this job. I also had the opportunity to talk with a group of students from our Alternative Learning Centers who not only did a good job advocating for their schools, but had some great questions.
I finished the week meeting with a group of Chiropractors to discuss barriers to care, heard from an amazing group of aspiring teachers on how we can help them make it into the classroom, and celebrated U of M Alumni Day with Goldie.
I was sad to learn of news that our neighbor, Nikki Storebo, a long time Mount Olivet Adult Day Center employee and advocate for our disability community, passed away this week. Nikki started her journey with MORA over 11 years ago, first as a Program Coordinator, then worked her way up to her role as Senior Quality Enhancement and Program Director. Nikki supported MORA in so many ways, but I knew her as a tireless advocate for those she worked to support. When I toured MORA, I had the chance to see Nikki in action and was so inspired by her advocacy of and leadership in advancing disability rights and funding for services. May her memory forever be a blessing.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions, ideas, or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol.
St. Paul, MN– House Education Finance Committee Chair Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) has earned and received a legislative award from the Minnesota School Psychologists Association for her advocacy and support of school psychology.
“Our school psychologists are an integral part of supporting the needs and well-being of our students, ” said Rep. Youakim. “It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Minnesota School Psychologists Association. Last year, we took overdue steps to improve the ratio of school psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses to students in our schools. We also made investments in getting our students the mental health support they need in and out of the classroom. Investing in comprehensive mental health resources is not an expense, it’s an investment in the future, ensuring every student has what they need to thrive.”
The Minnesota School Psychologists Association proactively supports the needs and well-being of all children, youth, families, and communities through advocacy, education, and research; and to promote the delivery of comprehensive, effective, and ethical school psychological services.
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