Week three of the 2019 Legislative Session is in the books! MHP and our Homes for All partners are meeting with lawmakers from key committees and finalizing bill language for our legislative priorities.

On Tuesday, January 22, Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho presented introductory remarks to the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee. She reviewed Minnesota Housing’s relationship to the legislature and responded to a variety of questions from Senators, including about housing shortages and costs across the state, the intersection of housing with issues such as health, and how to bring down the cost of homes.

From left: MHP Director of Strategic Initiatives & Policy Elizabeth Glidden, Southeast Minnesota Multi-County HRA Director Buffy Beranek, Rep. Barb Haley (R-Red Wing), and MHP Deputy Policy Director Libby Murphy

On Wednesday, MHP hosted advocacy volunteers who attended a hearing on the Homes for All Agenda, then met with lawmakers. Thank you to Representatives Barb Haley (R-Red Wing), Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona), and Tama Theis (R-St Cloud) for meeting with us on housing policy issues!

On Thursday, legislation to establish the MN Tax Credit Contribution Fund for Affordable Housing (TCCF) was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Taxes Committee as SF404. Please join us in thanking Senate authors for their leadership!

• Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) (chief author)
• Sen. Mark Johnson (R-Thief River Falls/East Grand Forks)
• Sen. Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth)
• Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato)
• Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis)

BILLS TO WATCH 

A bill which had an early hearing allows homeowners with racial covenants to attach to their title a document renouncing racist language. Sponsored by Rep Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis), you can read more from the Star Tribune. 

GET ENGAGED

Get to know the members of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Policy and Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Finance Committees. These Senate committees will hear most bills that relate to housing, including bills that will impact Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s policy or budget.

Sign up to advocate with MHP Wednesdays at the Capitol! Let us know when you can come, we’ll do the work to schedule meetings with lawmakers and prepare you for the day.

Sincerely, 

Libby Murphy and Elizabeth Glidden, MHP’s Policy Team

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