Dear neighbors,
The pace has picked up considerably here at the State Capitol. With this week’s update, I’m returning to the format I used last session focusing on three distinct topics and messages:
Push. Build. Resist.
One is a proactive policy we’re working to move forward at the Capitol, one is a way we are building bridges between people and groups in Duluth and here in St. Paul, and one is a way we’re resisting proposals intended to divide us or otherwise harm our communities.
PUSH.
Last week the Health and Human Services Reform Committee held its initial hearing on a key piece of legislation to create an “Opioid Stewardship Program” focusing on a prevention, treatment, and recovery effort that would curb opioid abuse and save lives in Minnesota. Funding for this program would come from a penny a pill fee assessed on pharmaceutical companies who manufacture opioid painkillers. I want to give a major thank you to Lt. Jeff Kazel of the Duluth Police Department who gave powerful testimony encouraging immediate action from the Legislature.
To solve this problem and save families from further tragedy, small amounts of money here and there aren’t going to get the job done. Pharmaceutical companies need to be held accountable for the problem they created, and its time they step up to the plate and fund these efforts.
Unfortunately, leadership in the House Majority is already indicating a hesitation to move this forward. This is no time for backing down. We need to be bold in our quest for a safe and healthy community. I encourage you to contact House Speaker Kurt Daudt and ask that the Opioid Stewardship Program be allowed to move forward this session. He can be reached by phone at 651-296-5364 or rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn.
BUILD.
One of the biggest joys serving in the Minnesota House is the opportunity to connect with those from the community and hear their stories. Last week, a group of Denfeld High School alumni who currently attend St. Scholastica presented such an opportunity when they visited my office. I’m heartened to see graduates of our Duluth Public Schools be such strong advocates at the Capitol.
Conversations like this give me both tremendous pride in our community and confidence for what they will be able to achieve. I thank them for making the trip down to St. Paul and I invite them to stay in touch too.
RESIST.
30,000 state workers have been without contracts since October. These hardworking Minnesotans clear our highways of snow, keep our prisons safe and secure, protect our clean drinking water, take care of vulnerable Minnesotans, and in general, ensure our state functions efficiently and effectively. They deserve to be compensated fairly, and I will continue to advocate for approval of their contracts, and will push back against any proposals undermining their ability to collectively bargain.