Dear neighbors,
I’m continuing to keep Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth in my thoughts as we carry on with our work at the Capitol. Please visit the City of Burnsville’s website for important updates regarding their memorial services.
Additionally, a benevolent fund has been established to benefit their families. Please consider making a contribution if you are able:
LELS Benevolent Fund, Inc.
c/o: Law Enforcement Labor Services
2700 Freeway Boulevard, Suite 700
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
In their news release, Burnsville city officials emphasize the LELS Benevolent Fund is the only contribution site that has been verified on behalf of the families.
The second week of the legislative session is in the books. As a reminder, in addition to serving as the Vice Chair of Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee, I also serve on the following committees:
Reproductive Freedom Caucus Legislative Agenda
This week, the bicameral Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Caucus (RFC) unveiled its 2024 legislative agenda. We have the exciting opportunity to build on the RFC’s landmark achievements from last year, including passing the Protect Reproductive Options Act, banning anti-LGBTQIA+ “conversion therapy,” and passing the Trans Refuge Act.
This year, our agenda focuses on protecting, promoting, and expanding Minnesotans’ rights to reproductive health care. The RFC 2024 legislative agenda seeks to strengthen protections for gender equity and reproductive freedom, and ensure all state and private health care plans cover abortion care and gender-affirming care. We are also calling to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) state constitutional amendment, remove unnecessary barriers to midwife certification, and expand insurance coverage for abortion care and reproductive health care.
You can read the RFC’s full statement here.
PACT Act and your VA Benefits
The PACT Act is a new law expanding VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. You can learn more about the PACT Act and how to file a claim by clicking here.
Stay In Touch
If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Email me at rep.kaela.berg@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-5387. For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Kaela Berg
State Representative