Legislative Update – March 28, 2024Dear neighbors, It has been a busy couple of weeks here at the state legislature as we continue working on legislation to help Minnesotan families. Last Friday was the Legislature’s first internal deadline for bills to be considered in the relevant committees. We will continue hearing, amending, and passing legislation until our May 20th adjournment date. There’s still time to take our district’s 2024 Legislative Session Survey and share your input on many issues the House will address this year. It only takes a few minutes to fill out, and you can access the survey using the link below. Take the Survey! Pay Transparency LegislationMy legislation requiring corporations to post salary ranges for all jobs has made great strides this year. The bill would help make a dent in the Pay Gap which is estimated to take 137 years or more to close. It has now cleared all necessary committees in the House and Senate and was included in our 2024 labor policy bill. The consensus indicates that job seekers want transparency in pay and that companies that are transparent benefit and receive more qualified candidates and more productive workers. The real winners are families who earn more money to raise them out of poverty, meet the needs of family budgets, and decrease their dependency on government programs to fill the gaps left by pay inequities.  The legislation has been covered in the Star Tribune (Minnesota lawmakers want to require salary ranges in job postings), WCCO News (Companies must disclose starting salary in job posting under proposal in Minnesota Legislature) and I spoke to The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar about the proposal which you can listen to here: Should Minnesota companies be required to post salary ranges for openings? Minnesota Kids Code RallyI am continuing to work on the Minnesota Kids Code, my legislation to build better, safer online products by design to keep kids safe. I’m confident that we can take on the Big Tech lobbyists resisting any changes to protect our children online by passing my nation-leading legislation. Our bill has the support of families and parents across the political spectrum and has the support of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy’s president, Dr. Eileen Crespo, wrote an article in MinnPost about why pediatricians across our state support the Minnesota Kids Code: As pediatricians, we support ‘Minnesota Kids Code’ legislation. I want to invite you all to Minnesota Kids Code Day of Action, which will take place next Friday, April 5th at 10:00 am in the State Capitol Rotunda. Come join me and Senate author Erin Maye Quade as we speak in support of the legislation alongside local organizations that work to protect kids, and prevent suicide, alongside students who have been negatively impacted by Big Tech’s reckless design practices. You can RSVP here.  Prior Authorization ReformMy push to reform the prior authorization process with Senator Kelly Morrison continues to move through the legislative process as well. This is a smart bill that will cut down on healthcare bureaucracy and help patients receive the care they need faster.  Dr. Lucie Turcotte, a doctor and associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, wrote an opinion piece in the Star Tribune about the importance of this legislation and how it will prioritize patient well-being and ensure equitable access to timely and vital care. Read more here: Insurer prior-authorization delays put lives at risk. EMT Training/Paramedic ScholarshipsWe are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One initiative I supported funds up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 starting in the fall of 2024 to be awarded by June 30, 2026.  If you or anyone you know might be interested in this opportunity to serve the public and give back to the community, you can find eligibility information here. |