Dear neighbor,
The second week of the 2024 legislative session is in the books! I’m honored to represent you at the Capitol, and I’m excited about all of the work we’re doing to create opportunities for families to have a secure economic future and grow our communities.
As a reminder, I serve on the following committees:
New Laws
After a historic session in 2023, many new laws went into effect on July 1st and August 1st, 2023, and January 1st 2024. The nonpartisan office of House Public Information has a summary of the new laws here:
A Capitol Full of Advocates
It was a productive week packed full of meetings, but my favorite thing I get to do is meeting with my community members. I had the opportunity to meet with constituents from the National Federation for the Blind, who were here in support of equal rights and opportunities for blind individuals, broader equality and empowerment in the workplace, and ensuring that blind individuals receive fair pay.
The Capitol also saw a rally for housing in the rotunda, where advocates called for safe, healthy and affordable housing for all Minnesotans, and to invest in affordable home ownership, especially for marginalized communities.
Plymouth Infrastructure Bill
This session the legislature will come together to craft a local jobs and infrastructure bill, sometimes referred to as a “bonding” or “capital investment” bill, that funds critical infrastructure needs across our state. As a member of the Capital Investment Committee, I’m excited to have introduced a bill that would appropriate $32 million to the City of Plymouth. If passed, these funds would help pay for stormwater ponding, a public parking ramp, reconstruction of Plymouth Boulevard, and an expansion of the Plymouth Ice Center. I will continue to keep you updated as it progresses.
You can read more about the bill and track its progress here.
PACT Act and your VA Benefits
The PACT Act is a new law expanding VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. You can learn more about the PACT Act and how to file a claim, by clicking here.
Murdered & Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance
Last week we honored Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance. Our colleagues in the Native American Legislative Caucus took a moment to reflect on this day, its importance, and held a moment of silence. You can watch their remarks here:
For more information, I encourage you to check out the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, a first-in-the-nation office we established in 2021.
Now available: MMIR specialty license plates. Fees paid by drivers who obtain a plate will be put into the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag reward fund. To order license plates online or find an office to purchase them in-person, visit drive.mn.gov?.
Insulin Prices Capped
Democrats are dedicated to reducing the cost of health care and protecting against price-gouging. Earlier this month, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a landmark settlement with the Eli Lily insulin company that caps insulin at just $35 for the next five years.
Drug companies raised the price of insulin by over 1,100% between 1990 and 2020, and this settlement will ensure Minnesotans can afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.
You can learn more about the settlement and how to get insulin for just $35 a month here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/MNinsulin35/.
Stay Connected!
Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.ned.carroll@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5510, and I will be happy to help.
Warmly,
Ned Carroll,
State Representative