Dear Neighbors,
Rep. Schultz, Sen. Simonson and I all want to thank everyone who attended our Town Hall Meeting at Glensheen this past weekend. We’re grateful for the turnout and engaging discussion.
This week the Legislature returned from the annual Easter/Passover recess. There are just six weeks left in the session with a great deal left on our to-do list. As always, in this update I will highlight my theme of Push. Build. Resist.
One is a proactive policy we’re working to move forward at the Capitol, one is a way we are building bridges between people and groups in Duluth and here in St. Paul, and one is a way we’re resisting proposals intended to divide us or otherwise harm our communities.
PUSH.
Investments in our infrastructure are investments in our community. The House Capital Investment Committee visited Duluth to take a look at a number of proposals including at UMD, the Duluth Port Authority, the Duluth Depot, Glensheen, and others. Before session, Governor Dayton unveiled his bold, $1.5 billion proposal. Through these investments, we can increase education opportunities, create and attract jobs, and build a more vibrant, sustainable Duluth. Unfortunately, with the clock ticking, we’ve yet to see a bonding proposal from the House or Senate majorities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this important work accomplished.
BUILD.
Students who enroll in preK learn important academic, social, and behavioral skills, without which they can be at risk of starting kindergarten behind their peers. Further, as affordable child care continues to be in short supply, expanded preK can help remove this roadblock many families face toward a secure economic future. If these investments aren’t continued, Duluth Public Schools would lose $100,000 toward preK opportunities for 20 kids per year. It’s important that we work together to make this funding permanent and not jeopardize our children’s future.
RESIST.
Earlier this session I highlighted a bipartisan strategy to end our state’s opioid crisis, and a bill accomplishing this is moving through the process. This comprehensive package of prevention, treatment, and recovery solutions would be paid for by a “penny a pill” fee on manufacturers of opioid painkillers. The pharmaceutical manufacturers have been, however, maneuvering behind the scenes to remove this fee from the legislation. While they are largely responsible for this problem, big pharma would rather leave taxpayers on the hook to solve it. While they continue to swim in growing profits, big pharma must be held accountable and be part of the solution to end this crisis. I’ll continue to push back against any efforts to remove his critical piece of the puzzle as we work to prevent more tragedies. Contact House Speaker Kurt Daudt at 651-296-5364 or rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn and urge him to prioritize ending the opioid crisis this year and ensuring pharmaceutical companies are part of the solution.