Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who came to our event in Burnsville and shared stories about how costs of insulin and prescription drugs have impacted them or their loved ones. 

At listening sessions we held around the state we heard frequent, heartbreaking stories from people who try to take the smallest amount of medication possible because they can't afford it - and 1 in 4 diabetics report rationing their insulin. We heard of concerns from parents of children about what will happen when their kids can no longer stay on their insurance, and we heard about challenges people face affording all the supplies that go along with living with diabetes.

The fear that so many families felt and lived with every day strikes at the heart of what the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act is about. It’s about ensuring that there’s a safety net for when Minnesotans simply can’t afford the skyrocketing costs of the drugs they need to survive - and we're working hard to get it passed as soon as possible. 

Climate Action

Last week, young people around the world held rallies to bring awareness to climate change and ask lawmakers to take action. My colleagues worked in partnership with young people participating in Climate Action Week in announcing a new Climate Action Caucus. The caucus is working on a plan to find solutions and establish Minnesota as a national leader in the fight against climate change. 

Governor Walz also announced that Minnesota will implement clean car standards projected to reduce our state’s carbon emissions by two million tons by 2030. The new policy means that those who choose to drive clean cars will have more options and will pay less at the pump. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency released a fact sheet with more information about these standards and how they will impact Minnesotans. It’s available here.

Mini Session

We're taking the legislature on the road! 

From October 2-4, we're holding a mini-session in and around Winona, which will include committee hearings, roundtables, and informative tours.

Though the Minnesota House doesn’t officially reconvene until February 2020, bringing our work to outside communities offers a chance for us to see our work through a different lens. The last mini-session was in 1997 in Willmar, and we’re hoping our work this year restarts the tradition of holding offsite hearings and making the Minnesota House more accessible. You can find an agenda of events here.

Apply for the Page Program!

Our House of Representatives High School Page Program is an awesome opportunity for students in their Junior year! Applicants can participate in a wide variety of activities to enhance their understanding of our state government and the legislative process. Some of the activities include:  

• Assisting members and staff during House floor sessions in the House Chamber.
• Participating in a mock committee hearing designed to develop students' leadership skills and to inspire them to think critically about the issues confronting our state.
• Individual meetings with state representatives designed to allow students to discuss the issues that matter most to them.
• Meetings with constitutional officers, members of the judiciary, lobbyists, and members of the media.

The programs are each 1 week long, and applications are taken until November 21st, 2019. Find more information here, and start an application here! 

I hope you're enjoying the fall weather and leaves turning! Reach out with questions and comments! 

Sincerely,

Rep. Alice Mann