Dear Neighbors,
Minnesota has proven that a divided government can still come together to produce a compromise that benefits our state. On Sunday, we reached an agreement that delivers targeted tax cuts to Minnesota families and small businesses, secures strong funding for our students and schools, and preserves health care for over one million Minnesotans. You can read more about the compromise from our nonpartisan office of House Public Information here.
On the House side, since January, we’ve been working hard to not only address important backlogged proposals from previous years, but have advanced significant measures that will help improve the lives of families across the state. Since being sworn-in, I have been so proud to represent you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and our community. While this session may be nearing an end, I hope folks will continue to reach out and share the concerns and values that matter most. That said here are a few recent highlights:
Taxes Update
Yesterday, the House Tax Committee went through the agreed upon taxes budget bill, which includes tax breaks for the second tier of income earners and would really help our working families and small businesses. This will make a real difference for folks in our community. I’ll keep you posted on how the bill advances.
Fighting Elder Abuse
New protections for seniors and vulnerable adults earned final approval from the Minnesota Legislature Sunday night. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation will create a licensure framework similar to other states for assisted living facilities, along with other safeguards to protect older and vulnerable adults. These proposals include the ability for a resident to have a camera in their living space, a prohibition on deceptive marketing practices, and clarification of the rights of residents and their families to provide real peace of mind. Our aging loved ones deserve to live with dignity and respect. I’m glad this long overdue legislation has been signed into law.
Opioids
A bipartisan agreement received approval from the House and Senate on compromise legislation aimed at stopping Minnesota’s opioid crisis. Funded through fees paid by drug makers and distributors, the bill invests in new and proven strategies to address opioid use disorders. It also delivers funding to counties for the significant public safety resources they are expending. For too long, families and communities have been waiting for the Legislature to take action. While overdue, this compromise puts us on the path to prevent more heartbreaking tragedies.
Helping Families with Rare Diseases
There are over 7,000 rare diseases and only about 5% of those diseases have an effective drug or treatment. The bipartisan bill approved by the Legislature requests that the University of Minnesota establish a rare diseases advisory council, aimed at directing resources for research and development for these rare diseases. Specifically, they’ll be tasked with examining the cost of developing and making available an affordable drug for those diseases. The council would be named after two-year-old Chloe Barnes, who in 2010 lost her life to a rare degenerative disease. There is no cure for metachromatic leukodystrophy, but her friends and family have devoted their lives to a vision for a world where every rare disease has a treatment option.
I'm glad we’re on track for an orderly end to the legislative session knowing that we moved Minnesota forward for our families, seniors, students, small businesses, and farmers. |
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Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, input, or to let me know how I can be of assistance.
It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
State Representative |
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