Legislative Update- Insulin, Early Education & Real-ID

Dear Neighbors,

The 2020 session is underway! Legislators returned to St. Paul last week and hit the ground running. The House released our Minnesota Values Plan to keep moving our communities forward. Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Insulin Update

On the first day we gaveled in, the House Commerce Committee had a public hearing on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Differences remain between the House and Senate proposals, but I’m optimistic we can find common ground on a measure that addresses long-term affordability and emergency access to insulin. Speaker of the House Hortman and Governor Walz co-authored a Star Tribune op-ed about our solution that ensures we’re confronting both of these key components so nobody has to ration or forgo their insulin all together. The bill was approved by the committee and is on its way to its next stop. As the sister of a Type 1 diabetic, I will continue to be a vocal champion of this bill. The time to act is now.

Shari Wiltrout, the mother of two type-one diabetic teenage daughters, displays a one month supply of their insulin, and the amount of cash that it costs, during her testimony on HF3100 in the House Commerce Committee Feb. 11. Photo by Paul Battaglia

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act Introduced

We are facing two crises: education opportunity gaps and inaccessible and unaffordable childcare. The Minnesota House is offering a robust package of legislation called the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act that will invest in early care and learning to support families and close education opportunity gaps -- because our youngest Minnesotans deserve a great start in life. Children, parents, and childcare providers all stand to benefit from our proposal. I’m pleased that my bill to deliver support for new mothers and at-risk families via home visits has been included in this package. Read more in this story from the Associated Press. 

Real-ID Deadline Approaching

Many constituents have reached out to me with concerns about how this process is going and so I am monitoring this situation closely. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is encouraging all Minnesotans to apply for Real-ID by June 1 if they want to have their new license by October 1. Starting in October, a Real-ID (or passport) will be required in order to board a plane (standard Minnesota driver's license will no longer suffice).

You can learn more about Real-ID compliancy at REALID.dps.mn.gov. I will continue to monitor the situation closely. If you have questions or concerns about the status of your license or ID card, please contact me at the Capitol at 651-296-5502 or by replying to this email.

Keep in Touch

It’s an honor to represent Maple Grove and Osseo at the Capitol! Please continue to reach out with any input, questions, or ideas. Your voice helps shape my work in St. Paul, so I really appreciate feedback from constituents. If you’re interested in additional updates, follow me on my official Facebook page here.

Sincerely,

Kristin Bahner

Your State Representative