Capitol Update - April 12, 2019

Dear Neighbors,
 
Next week will mark the Easter/Passover legislative recess, and following that, there will be about a month remaining in the session. My colleagues and I in the House DFL have been dedicated this session to strengthening the way of life for all Minnesota families. This dedication is highlighted as we put together our budget bills, which we will be considering on the House Floor soon.

More Affordable and Accessible Health Care for All

When talking with folks out on the trail last year, health care was at the top of the minds of many people. Our House DFL Health and Human Services Budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable, addressing health disparities, improving health care for women, and expanding coverage options for Minnesotans.
 
Without action from the legislature, funding for the state Health Care Access Fund is set to expire. This fund allows low and medium income Minnesotans to obtain health care, and the Health and Human Services Budget extends this mechanism – a two percent provider tax – while Republicans have yet to put forth an alternative. Rates on the private market remain high, and instead of multimillion dollar handouts to insurance companies, I support direct discounts to consumers. This is also included in our budget.
 
These initiatives are on top of other efforts to address the outrageous amounts Minnesotans are expected to pay for prescription drugs. The Health and Human Services budget includes my idea to ban prescription drug price gouging and a provision to rein in middlemen known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers who have too much power over the medications Minnesotans are able to get. Along with accountability measures for HMOs, an increase in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP; the first in 33 years!), and greater access to a variety of health care services for women, including access to birth control, coverage for breast cancer screenings, sexual assault prevention grants, and doula services for Minnesotans with low-incomes, our budget strengthens health outcomes for all Minnesotans.

A World-Class Education for All Minnesota Students

Education remains an issue deeply important, and we’re working to ensure all students have the tools they need to achieve. It’s time for Minnesota to honestly, fairly, and equitably fund schools, and our House DFL education budget does so with a three percent per-pupil increase the first year and another two percent in the second year. We’re also delivering more access to critical support staff like social workers, nurses, counselors, and psychologists at school. Our Education budget also funds strategies to recruit more teachers of color, establish more full-service community schools, and improve special education funding. To help ensure Minnesotans can seek a degree or career training when they graduate without going into as much debt, our budget proposal also funds a tuition freeze at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State campuses, and increases funding for the State Grant Program.
 
Someone skeptical may ask “But Lesch, this costs money; how are you ever going to afford all of this?” Due to tax giveaways for corporations and other destructive budgeting practices from Republicans, we’ve experienced the consequences of not being able to make these investments in areas like education, health care, and infrastructure. Income inequality has meant our money is ending up in the hands of fewer and fewer people. Serving on the House Taxes Committee, we’ve put together a tax proposal that restores fairness, and in doing so, empowers us to make historic investments in education.
 
The Star Tribune has a story about the new House DFL tax bill here. For even more specifics, check out a fact sheet here.
 
Please continue to reach out with your ideas, input, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent our community at the State Capitol.
 
Sincerely,
 
John Lesch
State Representative