Dear Neighbors,
I hope you had a safe and reflective Memorial Day Weekend. I was so grateful for the opportunity to join the staff and board of Groveland Cemetery, Excelsior American Legion Post 259 and friends and neighbors to observe Memorial Day and Groveland’s 150th anniversary. It was a privilege to deliver remarks to such an esteemed group.
On Memorial Day, we grieve and honor those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. To truly honor their legacy, we must continue to strive for a more perfect union. Our great American experiment is worth protecting.
At the Legislature, working groups continue to meet to find compromise on various components of the state budget. In my role as a member of the Environment Conference Committee, I have been working with other House and Senate negotiators to balance this area of the budget. The House position is to prioritize investments that help us protect our natural resources for generations to come. We’re making steady progress in anticipation of our upcoming special session beginning Monday, June 14. In between our legislative meetings, I am back to work caring for patients and have been out and about in the community, connecting with neighbors and our small businesses.
I had a chance to stop by Excelsior Bay Books earlier this week. It’s one of the very best small independent bookstores around! I highly recommend a stroll down Water Street to visit all of the wonderful stores and restaurants that make it so special.
This morning, I attended the virtual monthly Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Issues & Insights Legislative Meeting. We had a robust conversation on the state budget and what we are focused on delivering for Minnesota main street businesses recovering from the pandemic.
Special Health Insurance Enrollment Period and New Tax Credits
Some good news came this week for those who buy their health insurance on the individual market. The American Rescue Plan – passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year – increased federal tax credits toward health insurance premiums, and eligibility for the tax credits has been expanded. MNSure, our state health insurance exchange, has updated its system to reflect these changes. As a result, Minnesotans can now shop, compare, and enroll in plans with new cost savings by taking advantage of MNSure’s special enrollment period, which is open until July 16th. If you didn’t qualify for a tax credit when you previously shopped around for health insurance, it’s worth taking another look. If you need help, navigators are available here.
I remain committed to finding a solution to the problem of skyrocketing prescription drug prices. Medicines doesn’t work if people can’t afford them. Check out my latest guest commentary in the StarTribune where I discuss an idea to address this problem so that all Minnesotans can access the medicines they need to survive and thrive.
Free Parks Saturday
Tomorrow, June 12, admission to all of Minnesota’s 75 state parks and recreation areas will be free. This is one of four such days the Department of Natural Resources offers annually. Get outside and explore everything our great state has to offer. A full map of state parks is available here.
Congratulations, Graduates!
I’d like to offer a special congratulations to all Minnesota students who are graduating! There is so much to be proud of, especially since you’ve persevered through unprecedented challenges this past year. I hope all you’ve learned inside and outside the classroom will serve you well in the future. Whether you are heading to college, entering the workforce, or still figuring out your path ahead, I wish you all the best. Please stay in touch and don’t hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance to you.
Please reach out if you have questions or if I can be helpful at rep.kelly.morrison@house.mn. I appreciate hearing from you!
Have a great weekend.
Take good care,
Kelly