January Recap: Everything MN Progressives Have Accomplished This Year (so far)
And with that, the first month of 2023 has come and gone! It’s been a whirlwind as Minnesota’s new progressive trifecta has jumped straight into the action – passing laws and dreaming big.
From taking action to protect the right to abortion for all Minnesotans to increasing paid leave for Minnesota workers, our progressive leaders have started 2o23 and the new legislative session with a bang.
ICYMI, here’s a recap of the most memorable moments from the first month of the session.
The Protect Reproductive Options Act passed through both chambers of the legislature
During the 2022 midterms, Minnesotans made it clear that they expect elected officials to act and protect reproductive freedom.
Now, our progressive leaders at the Capitol are following through on their promises by codifying the right to abortion into Minnesota law.
Last week, the Minnesota Senate voted to pass the PRO-Act, sending the bill straight to Governor Walz’s desk.
The PRO Act protects the right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, the right to fertility treatment, and the right to an abortion. The bill also protects reproductive rights at all state government levels, meaning that a city or county cannot limit reproductive rights or abortion access.
Thanks to our progressive leaders, abortion rights are one step closer to being legally protected for all Minnesotans. We can’t wait to celebrate this historic legislation and take a much-needed sigh of relief.
The Crown Act Paves the way for a more equitable Minnesota
The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN Act, passed through the Minnesota House and Senate and was sent to Governor Walz to be signed into law.
The bill aims to expand the Minnesota Human Rights Act to prohibit race-based discrimination, specifically concerning hair.
Hopefully, this law will ensure that discrimination in the workplace and in school for Black Minnesotans who style their hair in braids, twists, locks, or for their natural hair texture is no more.
We’re thrilled to see our Minnesota leaders taking steps to make our workplaces safer and fairer for all of our communities.
Paid worker and family leave bill cruises through the Minnesota Legislature
Progressives in the legislature have approved a measure that would give Minnesota workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and up to an additional 12 weeks of paid sick leave.
The bill includes critical funding so that no Minnesotans have to make the unfair choice between a paycheck and taking time off to care for a new baby or a family member with a serious illness.
The bill is scheduled to move through the Minnesota Senate in the next few weeks.
A greener, cleaner Minnesota
The Minnesota House passed a transformative bill to address climate change. The bill requires that carbon-free sources generate 100 percent of the electricity that utilities provide to Minnesotans by 2040.
Not only does this plan help ensure a healthy home for the Minnesotans to come, but it will create thousands of green high-paying jobs and develop the next generation of climate technologies.
Governor Walz unveiled transformative budget plans
Through January, Governor Walz unveiled his budget proposal that invests in the things that matter most to Minnesotans: our children and families, economic future, health and safety, and a state government that works for all Minnesotans.
His proposal utilizes the historic $17.6 billion projected budget surplus to make much-needed investments across the state.
His budget includes a $12 billion plan that would include the most significant investment in public education in the state’s history.
Not to mention massive investments in affordable housing, comprehensive public safety programs, lowering health care costs, and so much more.
The Minnesota Legislature is tasked with planning and balancing the state budget for the next two years, and the projected surplus leaves a lot more flexibility for our legislative leaders to dream big.
With the governor’s proposal released, our leaders will now work together to create a spending plan that makes big and bold investments across the state.
January was only the start– much more to come for Minnesota
It’s been an exciting 2023 so far.
We can’t wait to see how Governor Walz and the progressive leadership at the Capitol will continue to work together to invest in our communities and build a better Minnesota.
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