I hope your February has been enjoyable. I’m looking forward to some snow and seeing the new Minnesota Department of Transportation snow plow fleet in action! Over 35,000 Minnesotans submitted their ideas and winners have been selected. Here is your Class of 2024 Minnesota MNDOT Snowplow Fleet.
The 2024 legislative session begins on Monday, February 12 at noon. Although the work hasn’t stopped since we adjourned in May, I’m excited to be back at the Capitol to build on and continue to make progress for our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors.
A great way to stay updated on our work in the House is via the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services, which offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. You can subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. You can also watch live hearings through the posted hearing on the calendar and recording hearings thru the individual committee links. If you are ever interested in coming to St. Paul and watching a hearing, you can reach out to our office about details or utilize this link to get some of your questions answered.
Thank you to everyone who joined our recent Community Conversation in St. Louis Park. I’d love to connect with you to hear what your priorities are for this session at my next Community Conversation, which is Saturday, February 24 at Hopkins Library.
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
New Child Tax Credit & Filing Assistance in Minnesota
With our nation leading Child Tax Credit, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Democrats are aiming to cut child poverty by one third with this rebate. You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger. For all tax filers, this credit begins to phase out at an income level of $35,000 and fully phases out at a maximum of $90,750 for a family with four children. Check out if you’re eligible here:https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit
Most taxpayers who are eligible to claim the new Child Tax Credit are also eligible for free tax preparation assistance. I’ve been pursuing efforts to further study what a statewide free tax preparation program could look like in Minnesota. Currently, over 170 sites offering free tax preparation assistance are now open to help those filing income tax and property tax refund returns. Sites are staffed by certified volunteers and offer in-person and virtual options with most being open through April 15. You can find income requirements and qualifications for free tax preparation on the Child Tax Credit webpage.
Please share this information with your friends, neighbors, and hold on to it when you’re filing for your taxes.
Minnesota Values Project Survey
Almost seven years ago, the Minnesota House DFL started the Minnesota Values Project (also known as MVP) as a partnership between Minnesotans, elected officials, and organizations to create a shared vision for the future of our state. Working together, we’ve strengthened our communities by improving education opportunities, making affordable health care a reality, and increasing economic prosperity for all Minnesotans.
Through this project, we have facilitated hundreds of meaningful conversations with people across Minnesota about their priorities. We’re continuing this work and want to engage with as many Minnesotans as possible. Looking ahead to the 2024 legislative session, we’re looking to hear more perspectives and feedback from Minnesotans. As part of this effort, you’re invited to take the new Minnesota Values Project survey.
The survey only takes a few minutes, and as we build a shared vision for our state, your input is crucial in this process. We look forward to hearing from you. In addition to taking this survey, as always, don’t hesitate to contact me with your feedback or if I can ever be of assistance.
Connected to Community
I always enjoy opportunities to connect with our local school boards, city councils, and other community leaders to learn more about local needs.
We had a great conversation at the Edina City Council work session on Wednesday evening. It is always wonderful to hear about all the work our amazing public servants are doing!
Thank you to the Association of Minnesota School Board Association and the Minnesota School Board Association for the breakfast, conversation, and the chance to see friends excited to talk about funding our public schools!
This year’s informative and creative State of the City Hopkins put on Wednesday evening included food from local restaurants and “Parks & Rec” characters delivering the highlights in city programs, services, and development projects. I especially loved Heidi Garrido as Leslie Knope.
I was glad to join the St Louis Park Mayor, City Council, and staff along with Rep. Larry Kraft, Senator Ron Latz at a recent city work session. It is always helpful to hear about legislative priorities and to partner with our cities to enhance our community!
I had the opportunity to meet with Edina school leaders at their Legislative Action breakfast! Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley kicked it off and handed it over to amazing students and schoolboard members to walk thru their priorities. Thank you all for your advocacy for public education in our community!
Yesterday evening, I served on an Education Panel in Shakopee with my colleague Rep. Brad Tabke and House Education Policy Chair Rep. Laurie Pryor to recap our historic education budget and to hear their thoughts on implementing changes and answering any questions they had.
I was honored to have recently earned an award from the Minnesota School Psychologist Association. I am so incredibly grateful to the hard working school psychologists in our schools and doing so much for our students’ wellbeing and health!
Stay Connected
Please continue to contact me anytime with input, ideas, or questions at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina communities at the State Capitol.Have a great weekend!
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we’re already two weeks into 2024. I hope the new year is off to a great start.
A new year means new opportunities to gather at one of my Community Conversations in our community! The first one was last Saturday at the Hopkins Public Library. Constituents from all parts of the district joined in a great discussion around a variety of education topics, healthcare access, needs of our veterans, and much more. All Hopkins, Edina, and St. Louis Park neighbors are welcome to attend any event they are interested in. Here are the upcoming dates and locations:
Hopkins Public Library:
Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Edina Public Library:
Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
St. Louis Park Library:
Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Saturday, March 9 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
New Laws
New laws also took effect at the beginning of the year. These include the historic investments we made in public schools and students, taking action to address gun violence, making significant progress in tackling climate change, enacting Paid Family and Medical Leave, providing free college for families earning under $80,000 a year, protecting reproductive freedom, and so much more.
Earned Sick and Safe Time is also a big win for workers across the state, especially for hourly workers who may not currently have access to paid sick time. This new law requires employers in Minnesota to provide employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, capped at 48 hours each year. An employee is anyone who works at least 80 hours in a year for an MN employer and is not an independent contractor.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has helpful information, including how sick time can be used here.
2024 Session
The 2024 legislative session will get underway on February 12th. The latest state economic forecast shows a stable budget and an economy that continues to grow. We’re building a strong middle class together, and economic security for working families is critical to our Minnesota’s shared success. DFLers in the House, Senate, and Governor recognize Minnesotans continue to face rising costs for essentials like child care, food, housing, and health care. We are committed to addressing these needs and making life easier for folks. You can follow our work in committee or on the House Floor on the MInnesota House’s nonpartisan Public Information website.
Connected to Community
At the end of December, I had the opportunity to tour the new addition of the St. Louis Park Emergency Program facility. Their mission is to strengthen the community by responding to the basic emergency needs of individuals and families. A big thank you to Derek Reise for the tour and for the incredible work you all do for our community!
It’s been a wonderful opportunity to sub in our local public schools. Recently, I subbed at Concord Elementary in the Edina school district. The substitute teacher shortage is definitely felt and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to see firsthand the work being done in the classroom and to see how our students’ academic, and social and emotional learning needs are being met.
St. Louis Park’s new mayor, Nadia Mohamed, and I had a chance to connect with a group of wonderfully engaged St. Louis Park folks at The Elmwood. Thank you for all the great conversation!
On Tuesday morning, I was honored to be inducted into the Edina Morningside Rotary Club by President Dr. Afira Hassan and President-Elect Bocar Kane! Thank you to the club for the warm welcome. Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self” is something that is close to my heart. Check out emrotary.org for more information about the club.
On Tuesday, I also joined Senator Alice Mann and Senator Ron Latz in welcoming the Senate Capital Investment Committee to Edina to hear about the city’s Grandview Crossroads project. Mayor Hovland, Fire Chief Slama, City Manager Scott Neil, and Engineering Director Chad Milner put together a great presentation!
On Friday morning, I attended the annual Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition’s legslative breakfast. The Hopkins LAC is a group of parents, students, and school board members who help advocate for increased investments in Hopkins Public Schools. The delicious breakfast was served by Hopkins High School students who are part of the culinary ProStart team and students also spoke on the growing career and technical pathways the school has been developing over the years. Thank you to the school board, school administration and staff, and the parents for sharing their experiences and thoughts with the legislators who represent the Hopkins Schools!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions, input, or if you need any assistance. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors in St. Paul.
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the holiday season! I love this time of the year; it’s a time to reflect, recharge, and spend quality time with family and loved ones. I wish you and yours a beautiful holiday and a special New Year.
This fall, I received my short-call teacher substitute license and have been spending time subbing as a teacher in our schools. While I have been a substitute paraprofessional over the last six years, substitute teaching has provided a new challenge. Both jobs have given me an opportunity to be in our classrooms and to see the incredible work our public schools are doing to educate our students and meet them where they are at.
The 2024 legislative session is just around the corner, slated to begin February 12. I have been busy meeting with organizations, advocates, local electeds, and others to hear about their success, challenges, and thoughts for the upcoming session. I want to also hear about the issues that are most important to you. That’s why I want to share with you our Minnesota Values Project Survey, an easy way to share your values, hopes, challenges, and ideas on solutions with us at the legislature. It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be found here. Thank you!
I’m also excited to announce my series of Community Conversations. Mark your calendars! Here are the dates, times, and locations:
Hopkins Public Library:
Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10:30-12:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Edina Public Library:
Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
St. Louis Park Library:
Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Updating Minnesota’s Flag & Seal
Minnesota has a new state flag! The outdated and busy flag we retired had prompted a multi-year advocacy effort of Minnesotans to design a new flag; one that is truly representative of the best of our state and one we can all be proud of. A seal has been chosen also. The new designs will take effect on Statehood Day, May 11th.
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law requires employers to provide one hour of sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked and can earn a maximum of 48 hours each year unless the employer agrees to a higher amount. An employee is eligible for sick and safe time if they work at least 80 hours in a year for an employer in Minnesota, and are not an independent contractor. More information is on the Department of Labor and Industry’s page here.
Catalytic Converter Theft Declining
Since the pandemic, catalytic converter theft has been steadily on the rise nationally, causing financial hardship and headaches to Minnesotans having to replace them. This year, Minnesota was one of 42 states to enact a new law with stronger penalties for catalytic converter theft, including policy measures that make it more difficult for thieves to sell back these stolen auto parts to scrap dealers. The Pioneer Press reported has an article on how this is impacting our capital city with theft rates down 95%. We’re also seeing a decline statewide due to increased metal prices.
I’ve heard from many neighbors in the west metro about the urgency to find solutions to this growing problem, and I’m glad we were able to pass a strong, bipartisan bill to help bring these theft rates down.
Connected to Community
Last month’s local elections took place and resulted in the United States’ first Somali American elected as mayor of a U.S. city- our very own St. Louis Park. Nadia Mohamed comes with an impressive background having served previously on the City Council, and earning the City’s Human Rights Award in 2018, and working in public administration. We also had a variety of newly elected school board and city councilors elected in our communities. St. Louis Park had a school board race, and Hopkins had an uncontested school board race with four candidates for four seats. Hopkins also had a city council race which ended in a recount and a two point victory. Edina had an uncontested schoolboard race with three candidates for three open seats. Thank you to all the candidates who filed to run and all those who voted in our local elections! Voting is civic engagement in its purest form.
I recently toured a local pharmacy in our area to hear about the amazing work they are doing to keep our communities healthy and at an affordable price. Thank you, Luke Slindee for the invitation and for educating me on the many facets of our locally owned pharmacies.
I also had the opportunity to receive the 2023 Legislative Award in recognition of my work and support of the BARR Center (Building Assets, Reducing Risks), which focuses on improving school culture and student outcomes with an evidence-based system. With the legislation I passed, 18 new Minnesota schools were able to implement BARR!
I had a great visit at the Bakken Museum in November to learn about the many educational opportunities they provide. I will definitely be making another visit on my personal time to enjoy the exhibits.
I also toured Intermediate District 287 to hear about their amazing work they are doing with our students who have greater needs. The budget bill we passed this session came with more opportunities to meet their students where they are at. A big thank you to all those who work across the state in our Intermediate and Cooperative schools!
I was honored to host the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee in Hopkins last month as part of their statewide bonding tour, visiting sites and projects for proposed investment in a 2024 Bonding bill.
The City is requesting help to fund two Hopkins’ projects – the installation of a sprinkler system at Dow Towers, and two park buildings that will serve as recreation and resilience hubs for the West Metro. I’ll be carrying these requests next session to invest in these valuable Hopkins’ projects.
I also appreciated having the chance to see firsthand the work of Vail Place in Hopkins, a community resource center for adults with mental illnesses. They help with a variety of resources including essential daily living services (housing, employment, health and wellness, etc.); and connections to other critical community resources (medical, dental, benefits, etc.).
In December, I attended Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Annual Luncheon hosted at Starkey in Eden Prairie. It’s always a wonderful opportunity to talk with women business owners across the state. We heard from the folks at Starkey and were able to learn more about what they are doing to help Minnesotans experiencing hearing loss.
The Holiday in Hopkins on Small Business Saturday was a success! I did some shopping to support our Mainstreet local businesses, visited the Hopkins Art Gallery, and enjoyed the Christmas tree lighting. I love a community that works hard to bring people together!
I recently had a chance to try a great new coffee shop in on Hopkins Mainstreet called Pangos. It was wonderful ambiance, great coffee, and delicious empanadas! We are lucky to have them here in our Hopkins community.
I’m grateful to Mayor Jake Spano for his years of dedicated service to the City of St. Louis Park! The incredible, innovative, and compassionate servant leader who knows how to get things done will be missed. It was fun to watch the community celebrate his body of community work on Monday night.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 if you have questions or need assistance. 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.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Representative Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins), chair of the House Education Finance Committee has been awarded a Champion of Literacy from the Reading Center Dyslexia Center. Rep. Youakim is being recognized for her leadership in including a $90 million investment in evidence-based literacy programming in Minnesota’s two-year state budget to help kids improve their reading skills.
“A crucial component of our education budget this year was the investment we made in evidence-based literacy programming and dedicated funding for schools to access curriculum and training for their teachers,” said Chair Youakim. “I thank the Reading Center’s advocacy in helping get this across the finish line for Minnesota students and families.”
The Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act’s objective is to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year beginning in kindergarten. It is also to support multilingual learners receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in May of this year.
Four legislators gave me sometimes surprising responses when I asked them what laws approved this year would have the most positive impact on young people. Their answers offer helpful insights about how students and adults can have an influence on the Legislature.
Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFL-Eden Prairie, offered examples of immediately impactful legislation that students helped pass. He praised three high school students who approached him several years ago, describing the embarrassment some high school students have when they don’t have menstrual products in schools. “It took three years, but this year the bill passed,” he said. As of Jan. 1, 2024, all Minnesota public schools must provide free access to menstrual products for menstruating students grades 4-12. The Legislature allocated several million dollars to support this. Here’s a link to a Minnesota House hearing on this issue in which students from Hopkins and Eagan testified: https://www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily/Story/17529.
Cwodzinski also cited new high school graduation requirements. Beginning with next year’s ninth graders, all students must pass a civics and a personal finance class before graduating. He thinks these classes can provide vital information and hopes these courses will feature “hands-on” active, project and service-learning opportunities.
Rep. Laurie Pryor, DFL-Minnetonka, chairs the Minnesota House K-12 Education Policy Committee. She’s very pleased that “we listened to experts who can help us turn the corner on where we stand with literacy. Millions of dollars were allocated for curriculum development and training on research-based approaches to teaching reading.” Pryor emphasized that the state will “track progress to measure the impact of this funding.” She also cited support for early childhood programs in public schools and expansion of early childhood programs beginning in July 2025.
Rep. Cheryl Youakim, DFL-Hopkins, chairs the House K-12 Education Finance Committee. She told me: “We’ve been talking about two things for 20 years. We finally did them. Specifically, we indexed education funding to inflation, and we significantly increased support for districts and charters to provide services for students with special needs.” She believes these two actions will help educators more effectively serve students throughout the state.
Here’s one other valuable idea that the Minnesota Legislature approved, which I’m mentioning because of an upcoming application deadline. Earlier in the spring, I wrote about legislative efforts to expand the number of Minnesota students learning construction skills as they built homes for families with low incomes and/or experiencing homelessness. Legislators heard from participating young people that these programs were immensely useful and gratifying. Educators across the state wrote legislators that they want to create more similar, opportunities.
So legislators passed two different laws to help more students participate in construction for low-income family homes.
The first involves more money for YouthBuild (see https://tinyurl.com/55rw85yk). Rep. Matt Norris, DFL-Blaine, was chief author in the Minnesota House. He told me that he is “delighted that legislators recognize these programs are ‘a triple win’ – for the students who gain these skills, for the low-income families who will get high quality permanent housing, and for the state’s economy as a whole, with more well trained workers.”
The Minnesota Department of Economic Development plans to issue $600,000 for YouthBuild programs, with the largest grant available being $150,000. The application deadline is June 30. More information is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ta5fmz75.
I’ll share more information this summer about a second legislatively funded opportunity in this area.
These are outstanding examples of laws that will have a positive impact. It’s also good to see legislators willing to work, sometimes over several years, with educators, families and students to help improve and expand learning in Minnesota.
Joe Nathan, Ph.D., formerly a Minnesota public school educator and PTA president, directs the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome: joe@centerforschoolchange.org or @JoeNathan9249 on Twitter.
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