Legislative Update- Insulin, Voter Privacy, & Gun Violence Prevention

Dear Neighbors,

We had a busy week at the Legislature. The Minnesota House passed four significant bills this week to help keep Minnesotans healthy, safe, and confident their voting data is protected in the upcoming primary. Here’s an overview of what we accomplished this week.

House passes the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

On Wednesday, the House passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which is a revised version of the original legislation from 2019. It ensures Minnesotans can access insulin on an emergency basis, while also connecting them with options for long-term affordable insulin coverage. Alec’s Bill is informed by the input from advocates over the summer and fall in community listening sessions across the state, informational committee hearings, as well as bipartisan negotiations.

Addressing Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Prices

My bill to establish a Prescription Drug Price Affordability Commission cleared two more committees this week. A prescription drug doesn’t work if it’s not affordable, and I’ll keep advocating for the creation of a commission to review and set limits on dramatic increases in the price of drugs.

Securing Privacy for Voters

I’ve heard from many of you about data privacy concerns with the upcoming presidential primary, which is why I support legislation to protect your privacy at the polls. It would give 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. The bill passed in the House on Wednesday and I hope the Senate will join us to address these concerns. Primary Day is next Tuesday, March 3.

Gun Violence Prevention

Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want the Legislature to take action to prevent gun violence. Yesterday, the House, with my support, passed two common-sense bills to address this epidemic; the first would require criminal background checks for firearm purchases, and the other would enact extreme risk protection orders, or ‘red flag’ laws to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others.

We know we can't stop all acts of senseless violence. But we also know that these measures can make a difference — because they are making a difference where they've been enacted in both Republican and Democratic-led states. I’m glad we got this done for Minnesotans and I hope the Senate will consider taking up these needed, common sense reforms.

Constituent Spotlight

So inspirational to meet these two rock star constituents who attend the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley. They are already changing the world. Thanks for the visit and for your advocacy! 

Wonderful to run into my incredible OB-GYN colleagues at the Capitol! I’m so grateful for their advocacy with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology on behalf of our patients and all of us.

Keep in Touch

Please contact me anytime with questions, input, or to let me know how I can be of assistance.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Kelly