Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your family are doing well as we approach winter, and thus far, your holiday season has been full of joy for you and your family with much more to come.
New Budget Forecast
Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced a new economic forecast showing a budget surplus of $17.6 billion. It’s important to note much of this surplus amount is only available one time, and inflation isn’t accounted for on the expenditure side, only the revenue side. Global economic uncertainty abounds, too.
Nevertheless, this surplus will give lawmakers next legislative session the opportunity to make bold, transformational investments in our state, particularly with a DFL trifecta in the House, Senate, and Governorship. Fully funding our schools, taking action to make health care more affordable, helping Minnesotans with increasing costs, and tackling climate change are just a few of the priorities I hope the Legislature will urgently address. No matter the numbers on spreadsheets, many working people and families are facing challenges, and they expect and deserve action this coming session.
MNsure Open Enrollment
The annual health insurance open enrollment period through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, ends tomorrow, Thursday, December 15 for plans starting January 1, 2023. Shopping, comparing, and enrolling in plans through MNsure allows you to take advantage of valuable premium tax credits, including enhanced and expanded tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act President Biden signed into law this summer. Families save an average of $560/month ($6,700/year) when they buy coverage and access financial assistance that's only available through MNsure.
If you aren’t sure which plan is best for you and your family, MNsure-certified brokers and navigators can advise you and help you sign up.
Last Chance – Name a Snowplow
MnDOT has once again offered Minnesotans the opportunity to suggest a name for a snowplow on Minnesota’s highways. The deadline to submit a name for the contest is this coming Friday, December 16. Previous winners have included Plowy McPlowFace, Betty Whiteout, The Truck Formerly known as Plow, and Plow Bunyan.
As much of our state is experiencing large amounts of snow and a wintry mix of precipitation this week, thank you to all of our dedicated public employees putting in long hours to ensure we’re all safe on the roads.
Gratitude
When the Legislature convenes next month, I will no longer be your state representative. I will look back on this time with gratitude and fondness, and I’m extremely thankful to my constituents for giving me this incredible opportunity. While the job occasionally had its share of difficulties and frustrations – largely as a result of divided government – it’s been extremely rewarding and I’m deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve. I’m particularly proud of our work to deliver many of Duluth and the Twin Ports’ local priorities, and – while much work remains – to improve our health care system for Minnesotans.
Much of the latter part of my stint included the COVID-19 pandemic, which required lawmakers to urgently take measures protecting public health. The pandemic also changed the way the Legislature operates overnight, with Zoom meetings replacing everything from in-person committee hearings to quick chats in the hallway with colleagues, making it more difficult to build relationships. This coming session, the Legislature will likely be fully in-person again, aside from some opportunities for Minnesotans to potentially provide remote testimony. I hope all of our elected officials in Saint Paul will – while being passionate about helping the people of our state – move forward with kindness, patience, and understanding with one another.
My successor – Rep.-elect Alicia Kozlowski – will take the oath of office January 3. Rep.-elect Kozlowski’s email will be rep.alicia.kozlowski@house.mn.gov, and their phone number and office address will be posted on the House website soon. Please be in contact with them to share your priorities, challenges, and vision for our state.
It’s been a tremendous honor to represent Duluth in the Minnesota House. Thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity for the last eight years.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Jen Schultz
State Representative