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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jack Considine Jr. (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 8, 2019

Friday, March 8, 2019
 

Dear Neighbors,

Chairing the House Corrections Committee, I continue to work to improve safety for those working within the walls of our prisons as well as those incarcerated within them. One step we can take toward this objective is reestablishing the position of Ombudsman within the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and I have a bill to do this. The Ombudsman, to be appointed by the Governor, would be responsible for upholding the highest standards of competence, efficiency, and justice in the administration of corrections. As part of this job, the Ombudsman would take complaints, conducting investigations, and making recommendations regarding our prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities. This position was eliminated as part of Governor Pawlenty’s budget cuts in 2003, and today, I’m pleased there is bipartisan support to bring back this important role.

Medical Cannabis for Veterans

Having grown up on Air Force bases, I think back to one particular Chief Master Sergeant who it seemed was always in pain. He served in World War II and spent three years in a POW camp. He has long since passed away, but I can’t help but think he may have had a better quality of life if he was able to access cannabis.

That’s why I’m the author of a bill, HF 1420, to allow veterans with service-connected disabilities to participate in the state’s medical cannabis program. The Pioneer Press highlighted this effort here. Veterans have laid their lives on the line, and I think we should allow them this option for PTSD, chronic pain, or other conditions it can address to ensure a better quality of life.

State Trooper Pay

Our Minnesota State Troopers work in some extremely dangerous situations. In February there were more cars hit than there ever have been in a single month. These dedicated public servants deserve to be compensated fairly for the work they do. There has been a wage disparity gap growing, however, between the state patrol and local police departments. In 2002, the average amount state troopers earn was roughly 99 percent of what officers in the metro area receive. By 2017, the average had fallen to 88 percent. KSTP highlighted the issue last month.

I’ve authored HF 729, titled the Trooper Wage Disparity Act, to address this. The bipartisan bill will set a minimum level of pay in law for troopers based on average compensation of large police departments, and increase the minimum percentage of this amount gradually over time. Our troopers aren’t looking for anything extravagant, only fairness. Additionally, this will help the State Patrol recruit and retain quality personnel. For these reasons, I’m proud to support this initiative.

Insulin Prices

This session, my DFL colleagues and I are working to address the sky-high price of prescription drugs. I’ve discussed some of these previously, including an outright ban on pharmaceutical price gouging. This week, the House Commerce Committee considered a series of proposals to address the price and availability of insulin, which people with diabetes depend on every single day. The price many of them have to pay is just outrageous, and this has sometimes led to tragic consequences. One example is Alec Smith, a Minnesotan who died at age 26 because he couldn’t afford the $1,300 monthly cost for his insulin, and felt like he had no choice by to ration his supply. Following Alec’s death in 2017, his parents courageously began telling their story in hopes of preventing the same tragedy from happening to anyone else.

Bills the Commerce Committee discussed included HF 485, creating a system for Minnesotans who are unable to afford their insulin to get a temporary supply. It also authorizes pharmacies to fill a temporary supply of if a prescription is out-of-date. Other bills included HF 289 to improve drug price transparency; HF 288 to bar insurance companies from removing coverage of insulin, equipment, or supplies during someone’s contract year; and HF 284 to direct the state Department of Health to determine if pharmaceutical companies are forcing excessive insulin cost increases, and if so, require reimbursements for Minnesotans. Profits for Big Pharma shouldn’t get in the way all Minnesotans' wellbeing, and I’m committed to supporting these measures.

On a final note, I want to bring to light that there have been some difficulties with our House email system, including a three-day period where I didn’t have any access. This, coupled with hundreds if not thousands of emails on a couple of issues people are very passionate about, has meant I’ve fallen behind in getting back to people. I apologize for this and will keep working to respond to every constituent. I value hearing from you, and hope you will continue to reach out with your input and ideas. It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jack Considine

State Representative


Rep. Jack Considine
433 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

www.house.mn/19B
Chair, House Corrections Division

Phone: 651-296-3248
E-mail: rep.jack.considine@house.mn
Legislative Assistant: Adam Kopel, 651-296-4165