Weekend Update

Neighbors,

This was an especially impactful week at the Capitol. We passed bills that will make Minnesota a safer, better place to live. 

Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford the lifesaving medications they need. Over the last ten years insulin manufacturers have tripled the price of insulin, raking in billions of dollars in profits and forcing thousands of Minnesotans to ration a drug that's life-necessary for them. Big Pharma needs to have a financial stake in solving this affordability crisis. 

Wednesday night, the House passed our bill that ensures Minnesotans can get the insulin they need at a price they can afford. I was proud to cast my vote for the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and will continue working toward making affordable health care a reality and tackling prescription drug costs.

Common Sense Gun Violence Prevention

On Thursday night, we voted on two gun violence prevention measures: a Red Flag bill and universal background checks. It’s time we do something about America’s epidemic of senseless gun violence and mass shootings. Both of these laws are working well in other states and are supported by law enforcement, health professionals, and the vast majority of Minnesotans.

Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want us to take action to address senseless gun violence. Senate Republicans should listen to Minnesotans and join the DFL-led House in supporting common-sense gun violence prevention measures. 

Opportunities for Our Kids 

The Boys and Girls Club provides valuable youth development services across all ages. They have comprehensive programming around job exploration, skill building, and career development that both sets our kids on a path to success and creates a talent pipeline for our local businesses. 

Ke'la, the 2020 Twin Cities Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities Youth of the Year, shared her story at the Capitol this week about how much this organization impacted her life. She was just accepted to the University of Minnesota! I look forward to ensuring we prioritize the funding that I've proposed for this life-changing organization.

Fair Wages

This week, Rep. Cantrell discussed his legislation to address unfair wages with Eastsider Noah John Stanford McCourt in the Labor Committee. I proudly co-sponsored and voted to pass this legislation that sets up a taskforce to repeal a law allowing employers to pay their employees with a disability less than the minimum wage. We must stop treating people with disability as second class citizens. They deserve the dignity of a living wage.

We Are Still Here Conference

On March 11, the We Are Still Here Conference, organized and hosted by members of the 16 Native-led organizations, will convene the region’s urban American Indian community based organizations, funders, allies, and supporters to move the needle for our urban American Indian community. All are welcome to join the event, and you can learn more and register here. 

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Sincerely,

Rep. Jay Xiong