Dear neighbors,

We passed our first legislation off the House floor last night! Keep reading for more information about the first bills we passed this session, my bill to ban TCE, and the upcoming presidential primary.

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

The cost of insulin has tripled in the last 10 years, and it’s forced one in four people with diabetes to ration their insulin. The first legislation we passed this year, the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, is named after a young Minnesotan who lost his life because he had to ration insulin after aging out of his parents’ health insurance at the age of 26. I was proud to vote in support of this bill.

Alec’s Bill would ensure that Minnesotans can get the insulin they need at a price they can afford. It helps people access an emergency supply of insulin and get affordable insulin long-term. It also holds insulin manufacturers accountable for inflating the cost of lifesaving medications by requiring them to participate in funding the program. Now that the House has passed Alec’s Bill with bipartisan support, we’re urging our colleagues in the Senate to pass it quickly.

A Star Tribune article about Alec’s Bill is available here.

Voter Privacy Protections

The House also passed a bill to address privacy concerns that some of you have shared with me. This legislation, which was recommended by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, protects voter privacy by placing restrictions on data that’s collected during presidential primaries. It limits who that data is shared with after the primary and allows voters to choose whether they’d like their information shared. The law would take effect before data from the 2020 presidential primary is shared.

My colleagues and I are taking your concerns seriously and doing all we can to protect voters before the primary election. If you’d like to read more about the bill we passed yesterday, you can read a KSTP piece about it here.

TCE Ban Advances with Unanimous, Bipartisan Support

My bill to ban TCE received unanimous, bipartisan support at its first public hearing! I’m excited to see it advance with two of my other bills. One compels facilities with potential air pollutants to undergo more frequent and rigorous testing and follow expanded reporting requirements, and the other requires community engagement before settlements are reached. You can watch the first public hearing for these three bills here.

Make Your Voice Heard

Youth Day at the Capitol

On Tuesday, I met with students from White Bear Lake Schools for Youth Day at the Capitol! Students shared their thoughts about several issues, including vaping, increasing the number of teachers of color in our schools, and sex trafficking. We had a great conversation, and I look forward to seeing what these young leaders do in the future.   

Be a Voter in the 2020 Presidential Primary

Minnesota’s presidential primary is next Tuesday, March 3! You can check your voter registration status and find your polling place here. If you’d like more information about the presidential primary, click here for answers to some frequently asked questions.

As always, please feel free to contact me with questions and feedback. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Ami Wazlawik
State Representative