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Neighbors and Friends,
It would be an understatement to say the session is moving along at a rapid pace. We have committee hearings scheduled all day and into the evening as we aim to get bills heard in committee before the deadlines.
Economic Forecast
Our budget forecast announced on Thursday shows another projected positive balance, but with an undercurrent of uncertainty due to volatile economic conditions. With a potential slowdown in the future, House DFLers believe investments in education, health care, and the economic security of families is a more effective way to ensure stability and a better future for Minnesotans.
Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
Wednesday night, I was proud to vote ‘yes’ to ensure that diabetic Minnesotans needing insulin can receive this life-saving medicine. There is no reason that anyone should die because they can’t afford their insulin. When passage of this critical legislation was blocked last year, there was no time to waste and on Day 1 of the 2020 session, the House Commerce Committee approved and advanced the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (HF 3100).
There are differences between the House and Senate’s bills, but I will keep advocating for the emergency access component to be a part of any final measure. Our House plan asks pharmaceutical manufacturers to pitch in a small portion of their massive profits to help get an emergency program up and running so no one must ration or forgo their insulin.
Keeping Minnesotans Safe from Senseless Gun Violence
Thousands of Minnesotans support common-sense gun safety measures. On Thursday night, I supported those views with my ‘yes’ votes for HF 8 and HF 9 . Here is a brief description of the bills:
HF 8 – Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks have proven to help keep guns out of the hands of people who are dangerous. Most Minnesotans support mandatory criminal background checks on all gun sales, including those sold privately and at gun shows. Currently, nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia require criminal background checks for gun sales by unlicensed sellers.
HF 8 requires a criminal background check for anyone who receives a firearm in a transfer. There are many common-sense exceptions, such as between family members, during competitions, while hunting and at the gun range.
HF9 – Extreme Risk Protection Orders
House File 9 would create a legal due process for courts to approve Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) which would prohibit an individual from temporarily possessing a firearm.
Only law enforcement or prosecutors could request an ERPO and would need to provide a court with concrete evidence that an individual poses a significant danger by possessing firearms. A hearing would be held, and the individual could challenge the evidence. If the court determines an ERPO is warranted, the individual’s firearms would be transferred temporarily to law enforcement or a licensed dealer.
Extreme Risk Protection Order laws are in effect in 17 other states and the District of Columbia and have proven to reduce suicide rates and gun violence. Scientific polling shows 87% of Minnesotans support the bill, with just 4% opposed. All Minnesotans deserve to be safe and we know that these two measures can make a difference.
Housing
The housing shortage around the state is front and center this legislative session. Recently, two articles appeared in the Star Tribune that I thought might be of interest, regarding evictions.
The first article is about how the number of evictions is declining statewide. The second article counters that this is not the whole picture of evictions.
Evictions are just one indicator of our lack of affordable housing and certainly a concern of the Housing Policy and Finance Division, which I chair.
Protecting Voter Privacy
Presidential Primary Day is this Tuesday, March 3. This week, I voted for legislation to improve voter privacy in this year’s primary in response to concerns I am hearing about who can access your data. The House bill gives voters the ability to opt-out of sharing their party preference in the presidential primary, while also restricting the sharing of that data only to a national party representative, and only for the purpose of verifying participation in the primary.
To learn more about the primary, where to vote, who will appear on the ballot and other details, go to the Secretary of State site for detailed information.
Visitors to the Capitol
As busy as it is here, I still enjoy meeting with those who make their way to the Capitol to advocate for an issue important to them.
Protect Minnesota held their Day on the Hill this Thursday
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