Legislative Update – April 4, 2025Dear Neighbors, I wanted to start with a reminder to join me, Rep. Kaela Berg, and Sen. Lindsey Port for our District 55 Town Hall Tomorrow, April 5th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the Burnhaven Library (1101 County Rd 42 W, Burnsville, MN 55306). I’m asking folks to come prepared to discuss and share their answer to the question: What does defending democracy look like to you?  We’ll be providing updates about our work building a strong state budget and specific legislation we’re working on, and then take questions from constituents about the issues that matter most to you. I hope you can join us! Bill PresentationsIt’s been a busy couple of weeks in committees as we near our deadlines to have our bills heard for consideration in budget and policy bills later this session. I’m proud to report that I have many bills currently moving forward with bipartisan support, and I’ll continue to update you on their progress in the coming weeks. In the Public Safety Committee, we heard a bill I’m incredibly passionate about to strengthen requirements for medical care in our correctional facilities. I wish there was no need for this bill, but the tragic case of Larry Hill, who died in jail because he was not given his medication, proves otherwise. Mr. Hill’s mother, Christy, gave powerful testimony to the committee, and I thank her for her incredible advocacy. You can watch the presentation here. I’m glad to report the bill gained unanimous support in moving out of committee.  In the Children and Families Committee, I presented my bill on relative kinship licensing support. This bill addresses foster care licensing and is based on the work of both state and national experts. It supports and equips relative kin caregivers with the support they need, leading to more positive results for our children. You can watch my presentation here. In the Higher Education Committee, I presented a bill ensuring that part-time faculty at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities have stable insurance access, as well as a bill banning legacy admissions at Minnesota colleges, a practice proven to exacerbate racial and class disparities that has already been discontinued at most colleges in our state. Protect Medicaid, Not MillionairesWhile President Trump and Congressional Republicans look to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthy by reducing federal funding for Medicaid, DFL legislators introduced legislation that would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to this crucial program. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, serving senior citizens, children, families, and people with disabilities. A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage,130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from their health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without additional revenue raised by Minnesota, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health in Minnesota, costing lives and doing harm. That’s why I support this legislation to ensure we address those cuts here on the state level.  |