Dear Friends,
This past year has flown by! I would like to say thank you for the privilege of serving the communities of 27A at the Capitol; it has truly been an honor and a joy to represent you. This past month I have enjoyed attending many holiday gatherings, concerts, and events around the district, and I have truly enjoyed the conversations I have had with so many of you. It’s a blessing to be a part of such a close-knit community, and I am never more reminded of that than during the holidays.
The CARE Act
Yesterday I participated in the unveiling of the Caring for the Aging, Retiring, and Elderly (CARE) Act, a set of legislation aimed at providing more options for wellbeing and independence for our seniors. Sixty thousand Minnesotans will turn 65 in the next year and before the end of the decade, there will be more seniors in Minnesota than K-12 age students. This phenomenon is being called the “silver tsunami.” Between demographic shifts and rising health care costs, planning for our own long-term care needs has never been more important. Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to plan for long-term care early as well as have more flexible options as they age, and the CARE Act provides solutions to meet the needs of our state and its aging population. This includes making social security benefits tax-exempt, making available flexible life insurance policies that encompass long term care costs, and more. All are aimed at helping Minnesotans plan ahead for their aging needs, as well as improving financial security and independent living options for our seniors. I will be working toward passing these reforms and others with other legislators on the CARE Act Legislative Working Group in the upcoming session.
Happy Holidays
Finally, I would like to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. When I look at the photo of my pets below, it reminds me that the best gift packages come filled with those we love. I look forward to spending Christmas with those I love most, and my hope is that you find yourselves surrounded by family and friends this holiday.
From Peggy, Kelchi, Mingo, and Colter... Have a safe and merry Christmas!