Neighbors and Friends,
There are fewer than seven weeks left of the 2019 legislative session and this Friday marks our second committee deadline. To read more about the deadlines, click on this link. Here is the latest news from the Capitol:
Budget Targets
As previewed in last week’s update, targets for the Minnesota House budget were announced this week. The budget includes substantial investments in E-12 and higher education. Read more about the budget targets here. The Economics of the Case for Tax Fairness handout can be viewed here. I anticipated a bigger target amount for housing, and I will continue to make my case for an increase.
Gov. Walz Releases Revised Budget
Late last week, Gov. Walz released his revised budget, which prioritizes education, health care and community prosperity. Go to this link to read more.
Housing
Solving the housing crisis is always controversial and complex. I thought you might be interested in reading an article in the Star Tribune about how Minnesota-based United Healthcare is investing in affordable housing across the country and the positive impact it is having controlling medical costs. We have known for a long time that stable housing is a critical link in the overall health of communities and individuals.
Meeting with Gov. Walz
Gov. Walz asked to meet with me recently to discuss my concerns about Polymet. In addition, he asked for my input on several other topics including capital construction projects. I was pleased to talk with Gov. Walz about a variety of important issues and look forward to working with him this session and in the future.
Former Gov. Arne Carlson
The same week that I spoke to Gov. Walz about Polymet, I also received a phone call from former Gov. Carlson on the same subject. Former Gov. Carlson and I share the same concerns about the safety of Polymet.
Making RX More Affordable
This week, House DFL lawmakers introduced a comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible by holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and putting more power in the hands of Minnesotans who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of needed medications.
Visitors to the Capitol
Among visitors to the Capitol over the last week were Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), care providers, Chatfield Performing Arts, AFSCME, and others.
If you’d like to follow news from the legislature, read the House of Representatives' Session Daily to get the latest updates. A few constituents have mentioned that they are having some difficulty reaching me through our House email. If you have any problems with our email communication, please call my legislative assistant Blake Wilcox at 651-296-8803.
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Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice