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Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for your continued communication. I love hearing your thoughts after I send these e-updates out, and I heard a lot about the need for special session. We absolutely should be coming back to work to deliver on the education, healthcare, housing, and public safety investments that Minnesotans deserve.
We’re still waiting to hear back from Senate leadership on when they’re willing to negotiate the supplemental budget. I’ll be sure to let you all know when I hear.
Governor Walz Signs Mental Health Package into Law
Governor Tim Walz signed the omnibus mental health budget bill into law this week, investing $60 million in the state’s mental health system which will increase hospital bed capacity, attract new mental health care professionals, and expand the use of mobile crisis units. This bill also includes $30 million in creating an improved system to better serve those involved in the criminal justice system who are found not competent to stand trial.
This omnibus bill is a bipartisan investment in the infrastructure of mental health services across the state so we can better reach young people and adults who may be experiencing crisis, as well as support the mental health providers working hard to address these needs.
This bill allows hospitals to increase mental health bed capacity across the state and allocates a total of $92.7 million in funding for a variety of mental health initiatives, including:
- $30 million to establish competency restoration services to better address the needs of individuals involved in the criminal justice system found not competent to stand trial;
- Nearly $13 million to support children and youth experiencing mental health crises, as well as provisions to establish a first episode of psychosis grant program and to set parameters for children’s residential facilities to provide crisis stabilization for children and youth for up to 30 days;
- Nearly $11 million over three years in adult mental health initiative services;
- $9.6 million for mobile mental health crisis services; and
- $4.1 million to fund grants and loan forgiveness opportunities for mental health professionals and providers.
House DFLers worked hard to get this bill to the governor. Will this bill help you or one of your loved ones? Let me know.
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Happy Pride Month!
Happy Pride Month, Minnesota! This month and every month, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ Minnesotans that make our state a better place to be. I want the community to know: I will work for you, stand with you, and fight for you every day. Let’s ban conversion therapy, protect access to healthcare, make it easier for official documents to reflect your gender, and make the equal rights amendment a reality.
I also want to take this moment to lift up Reclaim, which provides important mental health support to queer youth in St. Paul.
Gov. Walz signs bill supporting Minnesota veterans into law
This week, Governor Tim Walz held a ceremonial bill signing for the Veterans & Military Affairs Finance bill. The legislation invests significant new funding to address veteran homelessness, provides additional funding for Minnesota’s new veterans homes, and offers service bonuses to those who served during the post-9/11 Global War on Terror.
The bill continues a three-year effort at the State Capitol to end veteran homelessness. The legislation delivers additional funding toward housing for veterans, including a grant for the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans to establish permanent housing and support for veterans, additional annual funding for short-term housing, and incentives to encourage landlords to take on veterans as tenants.
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Governor Walz Signs Bill to Make New Opioids Council Permanent
Governor Walz also signed a bill this week that codifies a subcabinet and advisory council to combat the opioid and addiction epidemic in Minnesota. The measure is part of the Health and Human Services Omnibus policy bill.
“The opioid and addiction epidemic has left its mark on every community across the state. Today we are taking an important step to create a stable, long-term system that will address addiction in a way the state has never done before,” said Governor Walz. “We have work to do to deliver the state surplus back to Minnesotans, but today I’m proud to sign 10 bipartisan bills into law that will fight the opioid epidemic, protect consumers, and prevent fraud.”
Congratulations, Graduates!
Congratulations to all of our Eastside graduates in our area who are completing their high school education this year. I wish you much happiness on this special occasion – one of life’s milestones.
Wherever the future holds for you, I wish you well. Remember to stick to the Growth Mindset, even when you mess up. Enjoy this wonderful time! If you or someone you know would like an official congratulatory letter from our office, please reach out and we’re happy to send one. Additionally, I’d love to congratulate grads in person by stopping by any open houses. Feel free to drop a note to rep.jay.xiong@house.mn with the details.
Have a weekend and please keep in touch with your thoughts and questions.
In Solidarity,
Rep. Jay Xiong
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