Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’re staying warm! Be sure to check on your neighbors, especially those who may be vulnerable like seniors or those with disabilities. If you know someone who needs help paying their heating bills, there are resources available. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has information here.
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
Emergency Insulin Act Introduced
House and Senate DFLers introduced a series of bills last week aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing cost of insulin, including the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act. Too many Minnesotans are paying too much for — or going without — lifesaving prescription drugs. It’s important to stop prioritizing big pharmaceutical companies, resulting in out of control costs for families. My House DFL colleagues and I are going to hold big Pharma accountable and ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to be safe and healthy.
MPR covered the press conference here and MinnPost went more in-depth here.
University of Minnesota Regent Selections
The first year of a legislative biennium is traditionally reserved for electing members to the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents. In recent years, Regent elections have produced results all too political, with hyper-partisan backgrounds that have come out of nowhere with no advanced notice or vetting. As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I am working to reverse this past trend.
I have interviewed and am meeting with several Regent candidates over the past three weeks. I am keeping in mind that we need to reflect the gender and ethnic diversity of the whole state. Our practice ought to produce a board who reflect our state with the necessary skills and strengths to lead a complex university system.
College Internship Opportunity
SciTechsperience is a free-state funded internship program that provides small-for-profit business with a 50% match — worth up to $2,500- on wages for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) college interns. The program connects small companies to STEM students statewide. There are no fees to participate in SciTechsperience — it’s a great resource to help employers and college students connect to each other. The paperwork to sign up is minimal. There are at least 350 matches available between now and August on a first come, first hire basis. You can learn more here. Please share with people you think might be interested.
Mini Survey
Lots of ‘hot ticket’ proposals at the Capitol have been discussed in the news lately. Of these, which do you think ought to be a priority for the Legislature to enact?
A. Paid Family Leave
B. ‘Hands Free’ Cell Phones
C. Legalization of cannabis
SAVE THE DATE-Upcoming Listening Session
I’m co-hosting a listening session to gather community input to bring back with me to the Capitol. Any questions, comments or feedback in how we can accomplish the best outcomes for our state are always appreciated, especially when we have the opportunity to meet in person. Below are the details:
- Saturday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112
Please stay in touch to let me know what’s most important to you and your family. If I can be of assistance on any state matter, please contact me at 651-296-5510 or at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative