Legislative Update – July 18, 2024Dear Neighbors, I hope you are having a wonderful summer so far. I’ve been busy out in our community this past month, attending Juneteenth events, Maple Grove Days, a ribbon cutting for Maple Grove’s new pickleball courts, and a tour with the Concrete Pavers Association. I hope you all have also been able to attend some of Maple Grove’s great summer events, and hopefully, I’ll see you at one later this summer.  This newsletter will be my last e-update until after the election. During an election period, legislators cannot use state resources for unsolicited communications because it might create an unfair advantage. You can still stay up to date with my legislative work by following my official State Representative Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RepKristinBahner/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinbahnermn/  Even though my communications will be limited, I am still available to help with state-level issues or concerns, answer your questions, and discuss important issues in our community. So please don’t hesitate to reach out at rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn.gov if I can assist you in any way. Most Consequential LegislatureIt’s been almost two months since the 2023-2024 Legislature adjourned, and I'm excited to share the progress we’ve made these past two years with members of our community. After many years of divided government and gridlock that prevented meaningful progress for our state, we got the job done through a host of accomplishments that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come. House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy wrote an opinion piece in the Star Tribune titled “That was the most consequential legislature in generations”. I encourage you to read and share it to learn more about the work done that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come.  As the Speaker and Majority Leader wrote, we know that there is more to do to build a state that truly works for everyone. Despite the progress we all made together, we know that many of the challenges Minnesotans are facing can't be solved in a two-year legislative session. We are committed to continuing our collaboration with Minnesotans to prioritize the issues they value and ensure everyone has the opportunity to build the better life they deserve. New Laws Now in EffectOn July 1, some of the new policies and investments we passed at the State Capitol this year took effect, including $43 million to improve student literacy. We can make all the investments in education we want, but none of them will be impactful if our children are falling behind on reading. Other highlights of the new laws include making sure our driver’s license exams utilize plain language, criminalizing the use of “deep fakes” to influence an election, and investing nearly $80 million in lottery proceeds towards more than 100 projects to protect Minnesota's natural resources. You can read about these new laws and more in this nonpartisan summary of what was enacted on July 1 or in this Fox9 News article: New Minnesota laws starting July 1 that could affect you. Lawns to Legumes FundingDo you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly? Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources. Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding. Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.  Share your Input on Prescription Drug PricingI am interested in hearing from Minnesotans about how prescription drug prices impact their health care, what affordability concerns exist, and which drugs might benefit from pricing transparency. If you are interested in providing your insights, you can complete the Public Input on Prescription Drug Price Transparency in Minnesota form to share your experiences and help guide the Minnesota Department of Health’s ongoing drug price transparency work. |