Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’ve been able to stay safe and warm during this week’s storm. As a result of the weather, the Legislature paused operations through today. Here’s an update on our work at the Capitol.
Statewide Earned Sick & Safe Time Moves Forward
In Minnesota, we care about one another and want to live in a state where people and families can be healthy and safe, but getting sick at one point or another is an unavoidable reality. When they do get sick, all workers should be able to stay home for the sake of their own health and wellbeing, to take care of a sick child, or to seek support following an act of violence or trauma.
Last Thursday, the House approved my bill to expand Earned Sick and Safe Time to all Minnesota workers. The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year. This is a benefit workers in Duluth already enjoy, helping ensure no one has to put their economic security at risk to care for themselves or family members.
During my closing remarks, I talked about the connection I made with Tiffany McDonald prior to joining the Legislature. Tiffany may no longer be with us, but I do this work for her, and for every single voice Tiffany represents that doesn't always get heard. Please take a few minutes to watch if you can.
Lawmakers Approve Series of Bills Improving Safety & Wellbeing
On Monday before the snow arrived in earnest, the House approved three bills aimed at improving the safety and wellbeing of Minnesotans.
First, we passed a bill to create a new Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. This office was a key recommendation from Minnesota’s first-in-the-nation Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force created by the Legislature in 2021. Black women and girls experience violence at disproportionate rates, and not only have too many families experienced tragedies, but too many of them have also gone without answers about what happened to their loved ones. Minnesota is leading the way in lifting up voices of Black Minnesotans and taking action in a collaborative fashion to address and prevent these tragedies.
Next, the House advanced legislation to crack down on catalytic converter thefts, which have been increasing at an alarming rate in communities across the state, disrupting Minnesotans’ lives and impacting their pocketbooks. With Minnesota having the fifth-highest rate of thefts in the nation, I was proud to support this legislation to deter thieves and hold bad actors accountable.
Finally, we took action to ban the discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” In Minnesota, we care about one another, and everyone should be celebrated, loved, and valued for who they are. Unfortunately, conversion therapy – which really isn’t therapy at all – is contrary to this value, dehumanizing and traumatizing for those victimized by the practice. It’s been rejected by every major medical organization including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatry Association.
House DFLers stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ Minnesotans who have bravely shared their stories and are committed to making Minnesota a more welcoming place for everyone in our state.
Prescription Drug Prices Keep Rising
Following an initiative lawmakers passed in 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health has released new data available in several interactive dashboards showing prescription drug prices continue to increase rapidly. For the drugs with the fastest growing prices subject to Minnesota reporting, list prices rose an astonishing average of 41.6% from 2017 to 2022. While Minnesotans feel the squeeze, profits for drug companies continue to soar.
All Minnesotans deserve health care they can afford, and the ability to pay for prescription drugs is a critical aspect of health, wellbeing, and economic security. House DFLers recognize the high prices of prescription drugs impact everyone in our state, and this data will aid us in our efforts to improve price transparency, crack down on price gouging, eliminate cost-sharing and co-pays, and more.
Please continue to keep in touch with your input. I also invite you to “like” my Facebook page for more frequent updates from Saint Paul. I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative