|
Dear neighbors,
I hope you and your family had a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. Here’s a brief update on what’s happening at the Legislature:
Special Session Next Week
Governor Walz is expected to call the Legislature into special session next week. My colleagues and I are committed to doing the work Minnesotans have demanded of us and to staying in session until the job is done. We will continue advocating for police accountability and criminal justice reform. Other priorities include passing a strong Jobs and Local Projects Plan, often called a bonding bill, and ensuring Minnesotans have the resources they need to make it through the pandemic. If you’d like to stay informed during the special session, you can follow along on my Facebook page here. Please contact me if you have questions or feedback.
New Laws Take Effect
Several new laws took effect at the beginning of July, including the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. This legislation provides emergency access to insulin and makes the lifesaving medication more affordable long-term. The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, which requires drug manufacturers to make their pricing information public, also took effect this month. Together, these new laws will help lower the cost of prescription drugs. You can find more information about these laws and others that went into effect here.
Support for Child Care Providers
On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced a plan to utilize more than $56 million in federal funding to support child care providers. Many child care providers are experiencing increased costs and decreased revenue as a result of COVID-19. The Legislature has provided $30 million in emergency assistance and increased rates for child care assistance, but more funding is needed to preserve Minnesota’s family child care providers and child care centers. The new proposal will help child care providers keep their doors open so parents can work and young Minnesotans can continue receiving the high-quality care and learning that they deserve.
Funding to Combat Hunger
Yesterday, the Governor unveiled a plan to allocate $12 million of federal funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to combat hunger in Minnesota. Since the pandemic began, food shelves, food banks, and other emergency food efforts have seen a significant increase in demand. This funding will help approximately 300 food shelves and Minnesota’s seven food banks meet that need.
On a related note, the deadline to apply for pandemic food benefits has been extended to July 31. More than 200,000 families have applied for or received Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits, which help parents and guardians feed their children when they aren’t receiving school lunches. Families with children who received free or reduced-price school meals this year may receive up to $325 per child plus an additional $100 per child in August. You can learn more about P-EBT and apply here. Additional information about food assistance is available here.
Stay Connected
On Tuesday, I met with South St. Paul residents and Congresswoman Angie Craig to listen to trucking industry and infrastructure concerns.
Please stay tuned for updates during the special session. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or 651-296-6828. It’s an honor to represent you, and I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
|