Neighbors, Spring has arrived. Eid Mubarak to all who celebrated. Soon the legislature will be taking a one-week spring break for the Passover and Easter holidays. By this Friday, legislative committees are supposed to finish the process of producing budget bills. In the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee, which I co-chair along with Rep. Peggy Scott, we will finish by deadline. However, many other committees with more complicated budgets or more contentious issues are still working to come to agreement. Everyone knows that the internet has made life more dangerous for people whose jobs can make them a target of violence. People whose words reach millions--including Donald Trump and Elon Musk--can criticize their opponents over social media and subject their target to threats, intimidation, or worse. This is especially worrisome for the Judiciary, who make difficult decisions every day and are often reviled by the losing side. Law enforcement officers have a similar problem, since their jobs often require them to exert authority over others. I think we can all agree that no one—and certainly no one’s family—should be targeted for doing their job.  Over the past few weeks, the Judiciary Committee considered and unanimously approved two bills that address this: one for judges and their families (HF HF 2127) and another for law enforcement officers (HF 1567) and their families. These bills would allow those tasked with upholding the laws and constitution of Minnesota can have their personal information--such as their home address, names of children, and child’s school--protected from public dissemination. Of course, there are many others who may need their private information protected, and we must find ways to do this while maintaining some openness in society and the ability to connect with others in person. In the Health Committee, I was pleased to work with Rep. Kristin Robbins (R) and Rep. Kayla Berg (DFL) on a bill to ensure that health care students do not practice sensitive examinations—such as pelvic, breast, or rectal exams--on unconscious patients without the patient’s consent. While this is no longer typical medical practice, this bill puts the prohibition in law. I worked with my colleagues to ensure that the language would not infringe on legitimate medical practice or put medical providers at risk when they act according to clinical judgment. I have also been working with colleagues to improve a bill that creates a pathway for physicians from other countries to become licensed Minnesota without completing a US residency. Well trained foreign physicians are needed to alleviate shortages in our state, and it benefits no one if we prevent skilled physicians from practicing. However, we also need to ensure that those we license meet the high standards Minnesotans expect. I hope to see the bill in a form that I can endorse. Another contentious health issue is expanding the scope of practice of optometrists. Last year, with my support, we passed legislation that expanded the use of some medications by optometrists, but it did not become law. This year the bill, HF 1011 is far more expansive, authorizing optometrists to inject medications into the muscles around the eye and parts of the eye itself. I’ve heard from many ophthalmologists who say that optometrists don’t have enough training to do these procedures and are very concerned about patient safety, and I agree. Protect Medicaid, Not MillionairesWhile President Trump and Congressional Republicans prepare to pass big tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of federal funding for health care, DFL legislators introduced legislation that would raise taxes Minnesota's most wealthy to offset any cuts to Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program). I am a co-author of the bill. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota. It serves seniors, children, families, and people with disabilities. A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage, 130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without Minnesota raising additional revenue, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health care in Minnesota. This is just one way the Trump/Musk Administration is threatening our state, and Democrats are ready to do everything we can to protect Minnesotans. Stay Connected Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at Rep.Tina.Liebling@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-0573. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Krysta, at 651-296-7173 or via email at Krysta.Niedemhofer@house.mn.gov. If you call or email, please include your street address so I’ll know if you live in my legislative district. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol. Warmly,  Tina Liebling, State Representative |