Dear Neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who attended my Virtual Town Hall last Monday with Dr. Kelly Searle. As an epidemiologist at the U of M’s School of Public Health and a member of our community, her insights are extremely valuable to our understanding of the current situation and I’m grateful she shared her time with us. If you missed it, you can watch it on my Facebook page here.

Today, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association announced its support of HF 1061, my legislation to driver’s license suspensions as a result of unpaid traffic tickets. A traffic ticket shouldn’t be a reason for folks to remain in poverty, but inability to pay a ticket can lead to driver's license suspensions, which can then lead to loss of job and unfortunately loss of income. I’ve been working on this measure for several years and I’m thankful to the MCAA for lending their voice to this legislation which will help Minnesotans get to their jobs and care for their families. You can read my press release about this important development here.

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act is Now Law

Last week, the Minnesota House passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. The Senate went onto approve it as well, and Governor Walz signed the bill into law. The bill – named after a young man from Richfield who tragically passed away because he couldn’t afford a refill of his insulin – will ensure access to insulin for those who need it in an emergency, and help Minnesotans access affordable insulin in the long-term. This bill is the result of months of work toward a bipartisan consensus, and the true credit goes to folks like Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt – Alec’s parents, and other tireless advocates who kept up the pressure on lawmakers to get this done.

While this is an important achievement, our work to ensure all Minnesotans can access affordable prescription drugs is far from over. I’m the chief author of HF4, a bill to prohibit prescription drug price gouging in the state. This week, the House Judiciary Committee, which I chair, approved “the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act,” which requires drug makers to share information on price increases beyond certain thresholds.

House Approves 4th COVID-19 Response Package

Also last week, the House approved another package of legislation aiding in our state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency; our fourth since the pandemic emerged. As we continue to adapt to our temporary “new normal,” the bill contains several proposals to provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans.

The House Judiciary Committee did a great deal of legwork on many provisions in the bill, including solutions to help Minnesotans properly execute wills, suspension of certain deadlines and expiration dates in the court system, and a measure to allow marriage applications to be submitted without the need to appear in person. You can read more about this legislation, now signed into law, here.

Unemployment Updates and Small Business Resources

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance benefits, authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), has been authorized. Prior to this authorization, DEED estimates about 8,000 people have exhausted or will soon exhaust their Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits. On top of the $600 additional weekly payments, this extension will deliver more economic security to Minnesotans in this uncertain time.

Another component of the CARES Act still to be implemented is the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The PUA will provide unemployment benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others earning a living in the “gig economy” who wouldn’t previously be eligible for unemployment benefits. DEED expects to have this program up and running by the end of April, and applications are open now at www.uimn.org. Don’t be alarmed if the system says your application is denied; DEED will flag your account and follow up with you when the PUA program is ready.

Small business assistance remains available from federal, state, and local sources. DEED has a guide here detailing all of these resources in one spot to help businesses determine which programs work best for them.

Energy Assistance Plan Enhanced

While the weather is warming, heating bills still pose a challenge for many in our community. Recognizing the struggles folks are already facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Commerce has made changes to the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for the state’s Energy Assistance Program’s (EAP). The new application deadline is July 1, and the annual crisis maximum has been increased to $1,200, up from $600.

The EAP can help households pay a past-due bill, even without a shut-off notice, get an emergency fuel delivery, and help repair or replace broken furnaces. For more information, visit the Department of Commerce online.

If I can be of help in any way, contact me at rep.john.lesch@house.mn or call me at 651-296-4224. The state COVID-19 dashboard has up-to-date information about the pandemic, and the Minnesota House website’s COVID-19 section has information about steps the Legislature has taken, as well as links to helpful resources.

Please take care of yourself and your family.

Sincerely,

John Lesch
State Representative