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Dear Neighbors,
This time of year is a blessing and filled with furious work and long hours to deliver key legislation to our communities. Our constitutionally required date to adjourn is coming up fast - Monday, May 18, and we’re working hard in the House to deliver as much relief as we can to Minnesotans struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below is an overview of the legislation we’ve passed.
Safeguarding the Integrity of our Elections
Last week, we passed a bill with broad bipartisan support to protect the health and safety of election officials and voters during this year’s elections. The bill allows our state to use federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds to prepare for increased absentee voting, open new polling locations, purchase sanitation and disinfectant supplies, and provide public outreach. HAVA funds will also be used to protect our election system from hackers and foreign interference. As the vice chair of the Elections Subcommittee, it was exciting to see the bill advance. You can find more information about the bill here.
COVID-19 Economic Relief Package Passes in House
My House colleagues and I approved an economic security package that includes measures for emergency housing assistance for renters, homeowners, and landlords, a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants, funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans. This relief package helps get to the heart of what Minnesotans need and deserve during a global pandemic: a roof over our heads; economic security for those who take care of our most vulnerable; basic internet access; and support for our small businesses who haven’t been able to tap into federal relief funds. The funding for this package would come from the state’s $1.87 billion share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act
I voted over the weekend to support a bill I coauthored that addresses the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. The Prescription Drug Pricing Transparency Act is a vital first step toward affordability for working families and seniors. It provides price transparency for three categories of drugs: existing drugs, new drugs and newly acquired drugs. Manufacturers must report drug pricing information for drugs that exceed certain thresholds or increase by a certain percentage over a 12 or 24-month period. The Minnesota Department of Health would post this information on a public website in an easily accessible and clear format. Drug manufacturers are currently not subject to the same price transparency regulation as hospitals, providers and health plans. In other words, they need to justify raising prices unreasonably.
We know prescription drugs don’t work if they aren’t affordable. We have more to do to bring down these prices, but this is the first step toward putting consumers back in the driver’s seat when it comes to their health and quality of life.
Protecting Pensions for Retired Health Workers Helping on the COVID-19 Frontlines
My legislation protecting pension payments to retired health care worker who return to the COVID-19 frontlines has advanced. I’m excited to report the bill passed 130-0, with broad bipartisan support on Saturday. You can read more about the legislation here.
Claim Your Missing Money
We all know the joy of finding a few bills in a pair of pants we have not worn in a while. I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity that could potentially put extra money back into your pocket.
Each year, the MN Commerce Department receives millions of dollars in missing money, or unclaimed property from businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owners. The Department is responsible for safeguarding the funds or property until claimed by the rightful owners or heirs.
Common types of unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, unclaimed wages from a past job, insurance claim payments or benefits, stocks or bonds, or safe deposit boxes.
It’s easy to check if you having missing money. To see for yourself, visit the Department of Commerce’s Missing Money website here: https://mnclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me to share your ideas, input, or questions. I appreciate hearing from you, so please never hesitate to email me anytime at rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn.
Be safe, be healthy, be well, and check in on your loved ones often.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
State Representative
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