¡Saludos! Greetings Neighbors,
I hope you had a nice holiday weekend with your family. Our DFL team is back from a quick legislative break, and we are tackling a full docket of legislation, focused on building a strong foundation for our communities. Building on the successes of 2023, we remain committed to prioritizing quality education, accessible healthcare, and a secure job market. These investments will foster a thriving environment for families and grow the middle class.
I want to take a moment to amplify the hurt our Latinx community is experiencing right now. Words cannot express the deep sadness I feel over the recent tragedies, from the loss of; Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Castillo, Maynor Suazo from Honduras; Jose Lopez from Guatemala; Miguel Luna from El Salvador; and another whose name has not been released, the six immigrant workers on the Baltimore bridge to the senseless murder of Brigitte Garcia, the 27-year-old mayor of coastal San Vicente, Ecuador. My heart aches all those impacted by these heartbreaking events.
My colleagues and I stand in solidarity with you during this time difficult. Our Latinx blood is our strength and resilience to move forward. I encourage our communities to come together, find comfort in one another, and heal. I will be planning a community vigil in the upcoming weeks. Please stay tuned for more details.
2023 Legislative Achievements
At a time when the gap between the wealthy and the poor is getting bigger and bigger, in an economy that is tilted in favor of the wealthy and powerful special interests, Minnesota Democrats enacted policies that helped everyone succeed. The 2023 legislative session was one of the most, if not THE most consequential legislative session in state history. The good work we accomplished last year will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come.
After years of gridlock under a divided government, the DFL Trifecta delivered results and got things done for Minnesota. All of our work is grounded in the values we share with our families, friends, neighbors, and communities. Minnesotans elected us to do this work, and Democrats got the job done.
Here is a full lineup of all the bills I carried last session that passed the legislature.
SNAP Program
In the 2024 legislative session, I have been steadfast on leading legislation to improve children and family access to quality food through SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays a vital role in ensuring Minnesotans have access to healthy and affordable food. This program is especially critical for our most vulnerable residents, including families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
While SNAP is essential, many Minnesotans who qualify for benefits don't participate due to a lack of awareness or challenges navigating the application process. Increasing future base funding for SNAP outreach can help bridge this gap and ensure everyone who needs assistance has access to this vital program. By strengthening SNAP outreach and accessibility, we invest in a healthier, more vibrant Minnesota. Let's work together to ensure everyone has enough to eat and the opportunity to thrive.
Minnesota Music Month
To celebrate Minnesota Music Month, I will be joining a panel discussion moderated by Diane Miller, host of The Local Show with leaders in the community about the importance of the local music scene here in Minnesota. For decades, I've poured my heart into music, not just as a creator but as an educator. Witnessing the power of creativity to ignite young minds has been my greatest reward. Now, I'm eager to leverage this experience to fuel a conversation that empowers the next generation of musicians, creatives, and artists in our great state.
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow
Explore?the African American fight for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years after the Civil War. The Minnesota Historical Society is hosting an exhibit on Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow at the Minnesota History Center through June 9. You can find more information about the exhibit on the Minnesota History Center’s webpage.
Dates: February 3, 2024 - June 9, 2024
Location: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102
Expanding Access to Affordable, High-Quality Health Care
All Minnesotans deserve to live healthy lives with economic security, and DFLers at the Capitol are committed to expanding access to affordable, quality health care. Unfortunately, too many Minnesotans currently can’t afford health insurance or have health insurance they can’t afford to use. Working families without employer-based insurance often face outrageous premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. For instance, many plans on the individual market have annual deductibles of $7,000 or higher. This puts Minnesotans in an impossible predicament, which leads to people avoiding care and results in poor health outcomes – sometimes with tragic consequences.
One plan to solve this problem impacting middle-class Minnesotans is the MinnesotaCare Public Option. It would allow all Minnesotans to access comprehensive health insurance coverage – with vision, dental, and more – with low out-of-pocket costs and a large network of quality medical providers. People enrolled in the Public Option would pay their own premiums – with significantly lower prices than what’s available currently on the individual market – determined on a sliding scale based on income.
MinnesotaCare has been a nation-leading, highly successful, and trusted health insurance program serving low-income working Minnesotans for over 30 years. The bill creating a MinnesotaCare Public Option – which would expand affordable health insurance to thousands of more Minnesotans – is advancing through the committee process in the House.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.maria.isa.perez-vega@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9714. You can also follow my official Facebook page.
Muchísimas Gracias,
Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega
Minnesota House of Representatives
Committee Assignments:
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Housing Finance and Policy
Education Finance