Dear Neighbors,
I’m wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year. As we head into 2025, I want to take a moment to say thank you for all you've done and will continue to do to build neighborhoods, communities, and a state where everyone is welcome and can thrive.
Supporting our communities, investing in our kids, and working for a fairer economy and a more inclusive and representative democracy remain my priorities as we start this new year. And some of the policies we’ve passed to help make that a reality go into effect today, on January 1, 2025, including policies that:
- Level the playing field for workers who work for small employers and those under 18 who will get a $2 pay raise by finally getting the same minimum wage as other Minnesota workers. We made the hiring process fairer and more transparent for Minnesota job seekers, requiring that job postings must list a salary range.
- Protect consumers by banning junk fees in ticketing and across our economy (see more below!)
- Lower the costs of life-saving medications for Minnesotans capping co-pays at $25 per one-month supply of prescription drugs used to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and allergies requiring the use of epinephrine auto-injectors.
- Protect access to critical health care coverage by requiring insurers to provide coverage for critical healthcare including abortion and abortion-related care and medically necessary gender-affirming care.
- Expand access to young voters on college campuses.
- Keep our communities safer by banning binary triggers.
You can read about these new laws and more in this summary.
I want to highlight a bill I wrote that goes into effect today -- that bans the hidden and deceptive “junk fees” across our economy. Almost everywhere in our economy, Minnesotans are being nickeled and dimed, overcharged and underpaid and when I started working on this bill I heard from many of you about the frustration of the proliferation of junks fees across the state. Minnesota’s economy (and the country’s for that matter) has been overrun with these extra “service” and “convenience” fees that show up on everything from concert and sports tickets, hotel rooms, restaurant bills, and car rentals, to rental housing, phone bills, and storage units. These junk fees are frustrating, deceptive and cost the average Minnesota family more than $3,000 per year, but give them no additional products or services.
Junk fees are an abusive and anti-competitive way for companies to increase prices at a time when many families are pinching their pennies and trying to get by. Corporations have been tacking on junk fees at the end of their advertised price prices simply because they have market power, and they can. Junk fees are an anti-competitive business tactic, where the price tag shows a good or service to be cheaper than it actually is, making it impossible for consumers to compare prices and disadvantaging businesses that have transparent pricing practices.
Starting today, Minnesota law requires “all-in pricing”: The full price of the product, inclusive of all mandatory fees, must be disclosed at the beginning of the transaction and in any advertising. It bans the ubiquitous “service” and “convenience” charges that don’t align with any additional product or service. It does not tell businesses what to charge. Businesses can still offer consumers optional add-ons. The law simply requires that upfront prices must incorporate all fees or charges that the consumer has to pay to get that good or service being advertised or offered.
This law was made possible due to the hard work of many Minnesotans who testified, advocated, and showed up to the capitol to see it past the finish line. Thank you to those who sent your receipts, who wrote me about your experiences, and who showed up to advocate for this important consumer protection bill. As we enter the 2025 session, it’s more important than ever to ensure our people-powered movement continues to grow and thrive. Together, we can build on this momentum to advocate for policies that put people first, protect our communities, and create a better future.
Thank you for your time, energy, and all you do to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Please reach out and let us know about events and meetings you’d like me to attend. And always reach out to me with your input and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. My email is rep.emma.greenman@house.mn.gov or you are always welcome to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-4200 and follow my Facebook page for updates.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be your State Representative. I'm very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together and look forward to the work we have ahead of us. Together, we can create a stronger, brighter future for all Minnesotans!
Best,
Emma Greenman
State Representative