New Laws Now in Effect As of July 1, a number of laws passed during the 2024 legislative session have gone into effect. These laws aim to grow our economy and workforce, support Minnesota’s children, protect our environment, strengthen our elections, and more. As Chair of the Labor Committee, I’m especially excited about the laws in that realm. Jobs with wages and benefits that can support a family are critical to growing the middle class. As part of the Jobs supplemental budget, which includes provisions from the Labor Committee, DFLers invested nearly $24 million for employment and training opportunities and business and community development initiatives. By partnering with local organizations, we are able to support and grow a more diverse and expansive workforce in Minnesota. This funding includes resources for Brooklyn Park to develop a biotech innovation district! Share your Input on Prescription Drug Pricing DFLers are interested in hearing from Minnesotans about how prescription drug prices impact their health care, what affordability concerns exist, and which drugs might benefit from pricing transparency. If you are interested in providing your insights, you can complete the Public Input on Prescription Drug Price Transparency in Minnesota form to share your experiences and help guide the Minnesota Department of Health’s ongoing drug price transparency work. Accessibility for All at State Parks Thanks to the dedicated disability justice organizers in our state, all-terrain track chairs are now available at 13 Minnesota State Parks. Track chairs are all-terrain, electric-powered chairs that can be used on designated trails within the park. These chairs can help visitors explore areas of the state parks in new ways, often on trails that are not suitable for regular wheelchairs. Track chairs are available year-round in some locations, and seasonally in others. To reserve a chair, call the park you plan to visit.  Tree Planting and Green Space in Minnesota The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded over $33 million to fund tree-planting projects across the state, part of a national $1.13 billion investment in 2023. Trees are vital for Minnesota's environment, cleaning our air, and preventing erosion. All Minnesotans, regardless of location, deserve the benefits of a healthy environment with access to trees and green spaces. Lawns to Legumes Funding Do you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly? Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources. Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding. Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.  |