Dear Neighbors, We’re wrapping up week three of this year’s legislative session and the road ahead is starting to take shape, especially with the recent news from our updated budget and economic forecast. The latest numbers show that Minnesota’s economy is growing, and while the investments and policies we put in place last year have put our state on the right path, we know that there’s still more work to be done, especially when this economic growth isn’t being felt by so many in our community. While corporate profits soar, many working families are still facing challenges to keep up and are feeling uncertain about their future. By tackling the rising cost of child care, health care, and housing, we are growing the middle class. Through jobs with good pay, benefits, and working conditions, Minnesotans can build better lives. By creating a Paid Family and Medical Leave program, we are growing the middle class. By giving people the opportunity to earn a college degree debt-free, we are helping Minnesotans build a better future. By investing in public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and broadband, we are growing the middle class. There’s more work to be done, and we’ve already gotten started this session. Here’s the latest on my work, and the resources available to our community: Food Assistance as MedicineLast year, Minnesota set a record for the number of visits to food shelves - 7.5 million! That beat the previous record from the year before, and it’s not the kind of historic numbers we like to see. Several bills have been introduced to address this issue, including one of mine, House File 3469. This bill would establish the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as a medicine pilot program. Participants would receive a $175 monthly benefit along with assistance navigating the often-complex federal requirements that have resulted in almost 6,000 Minnesotans losing eligibility for the program. It would also implement a two-year moratorium on terminating food assistance for those who are eligible. |