Dear neighbors,
As we turn the final pages of 2017, I want to mention how much of an honor it’s been to serve as your State Representative this year. It’s been an exciting opportunity to engage with many of you, hearing your stories and learning about your priorities as we work to build upon what makes Minnesota such a wonderful place to live. In Duluth especially, we’re lucky to have such a unique, vibrant community.
As rewarding as this responsibility has been, we’ve had to face some difficult challenges, with some others on the horizon. Media reports have recently highlighted assaults, abuse, neglect and other crimes in Minnesota’s senior care facilities and a lack of adequate response from state investigators to complaints. I was saddened to learn about this treatment of seniors, and that in many cases, nothing was being done about it. Many in the community have already come to me with stories of their own loved ones’ challenges in these facilities and their roadblocks in wanting complaints investigated.
Governor Dayton has launched an Elder Abuse Consumer Work Group, led by AARP Minnesota, aimed at improving the safety of seniors in these facilities. This workgroup is critical in giving Minnesotans a venue to share more of their experiences with these situations. I hope that people will feel empowered to answer this call for input and from that, we can enact overdue changes ensuring seniors can live with the dignity they deserve. Those interested in sharing any experiences or providing input are encouraged to do so via email at aarpmn@aarp.org with the subject “Elder Abuse Workgroup” by January 10. Recommendations will then be presented to the Legislature for consideration in the 2018 session. As a member of the Aging and Long-Term Care Subcommittee, I look forward to seeing these recommendations and implementing overdue changes.
Earlier this month, another challenge facing Minnesota came in the form of the latest economic forecast, projecting a $188 million budget deficit. This amount is projected to grow to $586 million in just a couple of years. The shortfall is largely due to unnecessary tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy enacted this past session, as well as uncertainty at the federal government regarding taxes and health care. I’m concerned that if the state budget isn’t stabilized, solving problems like lack of eldercare oversight and stopping the opioid crisis will be much more difficult. Also, our ability to maintain needed investments in what we all value, like quality schools and affordable health care, could be put in jeopardy if we don’t rethink these tax breaks for corporations like big tobacco.
We got good news earlier this month though when USA Today named Minnesota the “Best Run State in the Nation.” Since being placed 10th in 2012, we’ve consistently risen in this ranking, and we should be proud of earning the top honor this year. The study highlighted Minnesota’s “strong fiscal management, low unemployment and poverty rates, above-average median household income, and strong credit rating.” Accolades like this further illustrate the need to remain fiscally stable while investing in what's good for Minnesotans.
We are at a unique time in politics. One that calls us to more deliberately seek out, and listen to, the voices of many people often left out of the political process. For my part, as we develop ideas giving every family better opportunities to succeed, I’m committed to listening to the people I represent. I encourage you to continue to contact me with your viewpoints, input, and ideas as together, we work to make a positive impact on our state and everyone within it.
Warmly wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays,
Liz Olson
State Representative