| Neighbors,
I hope you're having a relaxing summer and had a happy Fourth of July!
Several new policies will take effect on August 1 - I want to make sure you know everything you need to know to be prepared!
- States that have passed hands free while driving laws have already seen major decreases in traffic fatalities. This law will help keep us safe from distracted drivers - but make sure you know all there is to know - here's a helpful fact sheetfrom the Department of Public Safety.
- Our pharmacy benefit manager bill will bring transparency to prescription drug prices, which have skyrocketed in recent years. Pharmacy benefit managers are a powerful but little-known middle man that drive up prescription drug costs.
- There are employers in Minnesota who steal wages by refusing overtime pay or skimming money off the top of workers' paychecks. People deserve every dollar they've earned, and our bill to crack down on enforcement of wage theft will take effect at the beginning of the month.
ICYMI: Here's a quick overview of some of the new laws that took effect on July 1st:
- Funding toward recruiting and training teachers of color and Indigenous teachers took effect, but it's a fraction of the investment we need. While 34 percent of our students are students of color, only four percent of teachers are. This is a proven factor in our persistent opportunity gaps, and we'll continue to fight to close it.
- House DFLers are committed to keeping Minnesota communities safe. That’s why we held Big Pharma accountable to the opioid epidemic. The proposal that become law on July 1 establishes a registration fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors that will go toward ending the epidemic.
- Before the passage of the marital rape exemption, Minnesota law shielded rapists from prosecution in certain instances if they were married to their victim. The repeal of this loophole is long overdue and I'm grateful that Minnesotans now have legal protection against marital rape.
- We made a 2% increase in education funding for each of the next two years to help fund our classrooms, so that all students can get a great education.
- A helpful overview of ALL the bills that will take effect on July 1st is available here.
Please let me know if you have any questions about these new laws or want to share your feedback and comments! I always enjoy hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Samantha Vang
State Representative - 40B
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