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Legislative Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Minnesota's part-time legislature ends on May 19th, so we only have a few days left to pass important bills that support our communities. Unfortunately, half the legislators in the House refused to show up at the start of session in January, delaying our work by almost four weeks. I do not expect us to complete everything on time. All signs are pointing to a special session to tie up some final sticking points.
With the remaining few days, I will continue my work on your priorities: transportation safety, affordability, clean water infrastructure, mandate relief for schools (along with direct flexible funding), and community support.
Fixing the Key Ban: Pragmatic Solutions
In 2023, a well-meaning law was passed that restricts the amount of lead allowed in certain products. Unfortunately, it unintentionally banned the sale and manufacture of most keys in Minnesota, including residential, car, and boat keys.
We all support the health and safety of Minnesotans, but we also need policies that make sense. Currently, there are no alternative materials that meet both the lead and durability standards required for the keys Minnesotans rely on every day.
This isn’t a red or blue issue. Every Minnesotan is impacted. That’s why, as Co-Chair of the Suburban Solutions Caucus, I’ve been urging the House Commerce Committee to consider a legislative fix this session. Our proposal offers several common-sense options:
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Exempt keys from the law’s restrictions;
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Adopt California’s up to 1.5% standard, which maintains safety while allowing key manufacturing to continue;
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Or, as a backup, delay the ban for three years so the state and industry can work on a real solution, which is an option even the Pollution Control Agency recommended.
We all want to protect public health, but we also need reliable, accessible products. Let’s fix this before Minnesota becomes the only state where you can’t get a replacement key. You can find more information about this issue here.
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Hwy 7 Safety Improvements and Study: Share Your Input
Safety improvements to Highway 7 are a major priority for me here at the Capitol. That's why I introduced House File 2657, which provides funding for safety improvements. I continue to work alongside locally elected officials, including Shorewood Mayor Jennifer Labadie, and Greenwood Mayor Tom Fletcher.
Right now, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is conducting a planning study of Highway 7 between Hopkins Crossroad and the western Hennepin County line. The goal is to identify long-term improvements to enhance safety and mobility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in our community.
Your feedback is essential to shaping the future of this route.
Here’s how you can get involved:
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Supporting Schools Without Raising Property Taxes
I’ve spent much of this session fighting to ensure schools receive the resources they need without additional mandates or creating the need to raise your property taxes. This requires innovative and pragmatic solutions. Many of the solutions I’ve pushed for have been the direct result of listening to the boots-on-the-ground educators, superintendents, and community members. From these conversations, a common consensus is that our schools need more direct flexible spending.
That’s why I have proposed funding increases through per-pupil formulas, delivering more than $180 million annually to our schools, or up to $170 per pupil. These funds could help reduce class sizes and strengthen student support services without burdening local taxpayers.
Unfortunately, some colleagues continue to push costly mandates that schools haven’t asked for, and fund them with higher property taxes. I believe we must bring humility to our service and truly listen to the people who work in our schools. That’s the approach I will continue to take.
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Responsible Pension Reforms
In addition to school funding, we must support the educators who serve our children. That’s why I helped create House File 2318, which allows teachers to receive an unreduced pension if they retire at age 62 with 30 years of service. This is both a fair and affordable compromise that helps recruit and retain high-quality educators at our schools.
The plan would cost about $75 million per year, just 30% of the cost of a full 60/30 pension proposal (which would cost $250 million annually). There are realistic ways to fund this, such as through additional contributions via Q-compensation, or by adjusting the universal school lunch program, which could free up to $470 million over four years for pensions and flexible school funding.
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Our Local Community Coming Together
I was proud to vote for the Children and Families budget bill, which contained one of my policies that provides emergency funding for local food shelves. This support will directly benefit vital organizations like Westonka Food Shelf, ICA Food Shelf, and Bountiful Basket Food Shelf. As a 10-year food shelf volunteer, I’ve seen firsthand how essential these programs are to our neighbors in need.
Recently, our community also partnered with WeCAN to raise awareness and support for food and service programs across our district. I’ll continue championing efforts that provide real help to those who need it most. Thank you, Chris, for the invite.
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We also had the opportunity to support parks and trails throughout the district by working with the Three Rivers Park District. Their work is essential to building and maintaining the parks that are core to the Minnesota way of life.
Your Voice Has An Impact Event
I have been asked to participate in a panel event on May 22nd at the American Legion in Chanhassen. This event will be hosted by an outside group and open to all, regardless of your politics. If you would like more information or want to share your priorities, please email me, call, or text me. Your voice helps me better serve our neighbors, communities, and the state of Minnesota. Click here to register.
As always, thank you for the honor of representing our community.
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“Your voice has an impact.”
Representative Andrew Myers
House District 45A
Co-Chair of the Suburban Solutions Caucus
Serving Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius and Tonka Bay
Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out with thoughts, ideas, and priorities by emailing me directly at rep.andrew.myers@house.mn.gov or calling me at my office at (651) 296-9188 or via my cell at (612) 615-8444. Your voice has an impact and allows me to better address the priorities of you and your neighbors. Thank you and have a great week.
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/RepAndrewMyers
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2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9188 |
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