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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Hunter Cantrell (DFL)

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Conversion Therapy Ban Rally & More

Friday, February 21, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

On February 11th, legislators returned to St. Paul for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, but Minnesotans’ values and the values that guide my work at the Capitol haven’t changed. We know that Minnesotans care about each other, and want to see one another succeed. 

Whether it’s world-class schools, affordable health care, gun violence prevention, local road improvements, local jobs projects, paid family & medical leave, or earned sick & safe time, these are priorities for every person in our community

If you have personal stories, ideas, or questions related to business at the State Capitol, please feel free to contact me anytime! You can find my full contact information online at house.mn/56A. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here.

Affordable Care Act: What happens if courts overturn? 

I am working hard with my colleagues to secure the long-term healthcare affordability and accessibility of all Minnesotans. I introduced a bill this session to enshrine into law the essential health benefits guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act, and I am hopeful my colleagues will join me in passing this and other lifesaving measures into law. The Affordable Care Act, while imperfect, has provided protections to Minnesotans that benefit all of us. If the Affordable Care Act is struck down in court without replacement legislation, millions of Minnesotans will lose protections against discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, guaranteed essential health benefits such as mental health services coverage, and lifetime limits on what health insurers would pay for covered benefits could return. You can read more about this issue here.

Outfront Minnesota Conversion Therapy Ban Rally

Last year I introduced legislation in the House to ban the extremely harmful practice of conversion therapy. This bill was passed in the House, but unfortunately it did not make it through the Senate. I will not stop until we pass this provision to protect patients and families in Minnesota. On Valentine’s Day I spoke at Outfront’s session launch rally, where I was joined by leaders in the Senate, healthcare professionals, NAMI, clergy members, and leaders in the LGBTQ+ community. The energy and commitment I saw at the rally and that I continue to hear from constituents like you assures me that this is the right thing to do to ensure all Minnesotans are protected from fraudulent healthcare practices.

Cantrell Outfront

56A Bonding Update

It’s a bonding year at the Legislature this session which means that we have the opportunity to fund critical developments in our community. I am excited to let you know that I have introduced two bonding proposals for projects that will be of great service to our community! The first is a small but important addition to the Savage Public Library that will allow public access to the library when staff are not present. The second provides much needed funding for the construction of local road, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements at the intersection of 13 and Dakota Avenue in Savage. I’m happy to work towards these critical infrastructure improvements for our community. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act Introduced

The 2020 legislative session kicked off with a bold proposal to invest $500 million in early child care and learning targeted at Minnesotans from birth to age three. We are facing two crises: education opportunity gaps and inaccessible, unaffordable child care. In 2020, House DFLers will invest in early care and learning to support families and close education opportunity gaps -- because we believe all children deserve a great start in life. Children, parents, and childcare providers all stand to benefit from our proposal. Read more in this story from the Associated Press.

education kid

Please contact me anytime with questions, input, or ideas. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance!

Sincerely,

Hunter Cantrell

Your Neighbor and State Representative