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.
Happy Friday! The MN 2024 Legislative session has begun and I’m excited to continue this work with our community and Rep. Larry Kraft who represents the other half of Senate District 46.
After the historically productive 2023 Legislative Session, DFLers remain committed to improving people’s lives and building a Minnesota that works better for everyone. In 2024, we will continue working side by side with our neighbors and community members. Together, rooted in the values we all share, we will work to lower the cost of living, deliver economic security for working families, and ensure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.
To that end, I’d love to see and hear from you at an upcoming community engagement event. On March from 6:00-7:30 pm, Senator Latz, Rep. Kraft, and I will hold a district town hall meeting at St. Louis Park City Council Chambers.
I am hosting one more community conversation this month on Saturday, February 24 from 10:30-noon in Hopkins. Everyone is welcome to attend these nonpartisan gatherings for a productive dialogue. I will also be hosting two more Community Conversations in March, dates to come.
Session and Committee Work
We started the week at the Our State Our Future conference which is an annual tradition setting a bipartisan and productive tone for the session to come. This year’s theme involved the importance of early childhood care and education.
Our first week of session consisted of several floor sessions. I’m honored to continue to serve in the role of House Education Finance Chair, and we spent our meetings this week going over the implementation of our historic investment in schools across the state. The Minnesota Department of Education has been a steadfast partner with helping ensure these dollars are directed to school districts and distributed appropriately. Students deserve a quality education and quality services, and the DFL majority delivered historic funding for our schools last session to make sure our kids have the resources our kids need to succeed. But you cannot turn around twenty years of underfunding in one session, we still have work to do this session to stabilize our school district’s funding streams.
Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award & Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol
On Friday, I was also honored to receive an Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award from the Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota. This coalition has been working on increasing teachers of color in our classrooms all over the state so that our students can see themselves in those who are teaching them. They have been doing incredible work growing and diversifying our teacher workforce!
Friday was Black Entrepreneurs Day as the Capitol, and I had the pleasure of meeting M. Ann Pritchard of MAMP Creations. She is an author, artist, and actor. She creates unique gifts with positive messages.
Murdered & Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance
On Wednesday we honored Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance. Members of the Native American Legislative Caucus in the House took a moment to reflect on this day, its importance, and held a moment of silence. You can watch the remarks here.
Connected to Community
DFL lawmakers held a press conference this week to promote a bill to require health care insurance coverage for infertility treatments. Fox 9 covered the event and you can read more here. I also had the opportunity to meet with constituents from RESOLVE, an organization that supports folks struggling with fertility. I am a proud co-author of the legislation that was proposed last year and hope we can get it across the finish line this session.
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to volunteer with my fellow Edina Morningside Rotary members at Bridging. This amazing organization has been serving families since 1987, by providing household goods and furniture to those who are getting stabilized in housing. They accept donations of gently used household goods and furniture, as well as monetary donations, at their site in Bloomington. They have an extensive list of what they accept on their website, so if you are decluttering, downsizing your home, or need a place to donate a gently used couch, check them out!
I had great conversations with our school counselors at the Capitol for their advocacy day and folks advocating for childcare affordability! A big thank you to school counselor Carolyn Berger and Angela Sandoval from Rise Early Learning for all you do for the kids in our communities!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me 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 residents at the State Capitol.
Minnesota schools won $2.2 billion in new funding the last time the Legislature met, but as lawmakers reconvened this week, the 2024 legislative session thus far carries little hope of a splashy education encore.
Restraint instead is the message, and it’s been heard by education advocates, who nonetheless plan to continue to push for additional revenue as district budgets are squeezed.
“We educate the children and we won’t quiet our voices,” said St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard, who serves as board president of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
The voices are welcome, and the needs will be heard, but much of the help to be offered may have to wait until next year, said state Rep. Cheryl Youakim, DFL-Hopkins, who chairs the House Education Finance Committee.
Gothard and others, while thankful for a boost in per-pupil aid and funds to help cover special education and English-language learner costs, say the new money did not make up for years of underfunding and, in many cases, left districts like St. Paul still having to dip into rainy-day funds to balance 2023-24 budgets.
They would like an additional 2% on the basic per-pupil aid formula — the funding stream they deem most flexible and that is used to pay staff salaries, transportation and other general operations. The cost: $160 million, according to the Minnesota School Boards Association.
“We understand that’s probably going to be an uphill battle,” Scott Croonquist, executive director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), said Monday.
Looming over this year’s legislative funding requests is a potential shortfall in the state’s next two-year budget. That forecast, which was released in November, is to be updated at the end of February, giving hope to some groups — early-education and child-care advocates among them — that prospects may brighten and new investments still might be possible.
But the consistent message from lawmakers has been: “There’s no money,” said Matt Shaver, policy director for the education advocacy group EdAllies.
For that reason, he touted last week the potential value of a modest $1 million increase in a fund that pays prospective educators to student teach. Most are not paid during those 12-week programs — a significant barrier to people who are looking to change careers or come from diverse backgrounds.
“We don’t have enough teachers of color in the pipeline,” Shaver said.
Pushing for more
On Wednesday, the House Education Finance Committee heard about the launch of a program to bolster the ranks of special education teachers — work made possible by last year’s sweeping education bill. On Thursday, the panel is expected to be updated on the new universal free meals program and the Read Act, which is changing the way children learn to read.
Bob Indihar, executive director of the Minnesota Rural Education Association, said that the Read Act, and its requirements to train teachers in the new instructional methods, has been a major point of discussion during the past year, and will need some fine-tuning this session.
“We’re looking at how it can get paid for long term, how to fulfill timelines and finding time to train the personnel,” he said via email Monday.
On Wednesday, Youakim singled out the Read Act as a potential beneficiary of one-time funding.
Croonquist said AMSD is pursuing permanent funding for a new program allowing hourly workers to tap into unemployment insurance during the summer. It has been credited with helping districts retain bus drivers and other employees, but is limited to one-time funding through 2025. Last summer, districts paid out about $40.5 million in benefits, leaving about $95 million to spend this year and next.
The 2023 session provided a major lift to early childhood advocates by enabling more low-income families to access quality child care or preschool programs. Early learning scholarships that for years stood at $70 million were raised to about $196 million a year in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Efforts ensued to expand the scholarships to middle-income families this session at a potential cost of about $500 million. Then came the November budget forecast.
Ericca Maas, director of policy and advocacy for Think Small, which administers the scholarships in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, said this week the group will continue to promote a middle-income expansion, even with legislators preaching austerity.
Recent Comments