Dear Neighbors,
Session is in full swing! My days are already occupied by committee meetings, meetings with constituents and work on my primary bills. My Consumer Data Privacy bill will be heard in the House Commerce Committee today. Yesterday, I participated in a press conference and a rally in support of affordable housing policies and my zoning reform bill is a big part of our housing agenda this year.
There are several community events coming up over the next two weeks that will provide you with an opportunity to participate in the public policy discussion:
Transfiguration Lutheran Church Elections Conversation
I will join a conversation around our election system hosted by the Transfiguration Lutheran Church led by Mike Wall, a member of the Minnesota Secretary of State's office and Bruce MacKenzie of Braver Angels. This event will occur at 6:30 p.m., Thursday the 22nd at 11,000 France Ave S in Bloomington. I encourage you to attend this conversation meant to bring folks with different political viewpoints towards an understanding of shared priorities and values.
Precinct Caucuses
Next Tuesday, February 27th is precinct caucus night in Minnesota. You will be gathering with your neighbors beginning at 7:00 PM, electing delegates to future party conventions and proposing resolutions to be incorporated into your party’s platform. You can learn more about participating from the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Upcoming Town Hall
Join us for our Senate District 50 Legislative Town Hall on Thursday, February 29th from 6-7pm at Edina Community Lutheran! I look forward to seeing you there and answering any questions you may have about the 2024 session.
Child Tax Credit
One of the proposals I championed last year was a nation-leading Child Tax Credit. Now, many Minnesota families will be able to save up to $1,750 for each dependent. I’m proud to say this program is projected to cut childhood poverty in Minnesota by ONE THIRD! You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children. For all tax filers, this credit begins to phase out at an income level of $35,000 and fully phases out at a maximum of $90,750 for a family with four children.
Insulin Prices Capped
Democrats are dedicated to helping reduce the cost of health care and protecting against price-gouging. Earlier this month, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a landmark settlement with the Eli Lily insulin company that caps insulin at just $35 for the next 5 years.
Drug companies raised the price of insulin by over 1,100% between 1990 and 2020, and this settlement ensures that Minnesotans can afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. You can learn more about the settlement and how to get insulin for just $35 a month here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/MNinsulin35/.
One of the bills that I’m working on right now would require health plans and pharmacy benefit management companies to pass along the savings they realize from rebates on expensive brand name drugs to the patient in the form of reduced prices at the pharmacy
Lawns to Legumes Program
Minnesota residents can now apply for fall 2024 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 habitat in their yards. Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you will need to reapply to be considered for fall 2024 funding. Find more information here.
Keep in Touch
Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance. Please follow me on my Facebook page for further updates and invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 50B
Minnesota House of Representatives