Dear Neighbors,
It has been a very busy week with an active committee schedule and two lengthy evening floor sessions debating insulin affordability and gun safety measures.
Legislative Town Hall
Please join Sen. Cwodzinski, Rep. Kotyza-Withuhn and me on Saturday for our legislative town hall. I’m interested in hearing your comments, concerns and questions.
Insulin Affordability
Last night, I was proud to cast a “yes” vote to ensure all Minnesotans needing insulin can receive this life-saving medicine. There is no reason that anyone should die because they can’t afford their insulin. When passage of this critical legislation was blocked last year, there was no time to waste this session. On day 1 of the 2020 session, the House Commerce Committee approved and advanced the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act (HF 3100).
There are differences between the House and Senate’s bills, but I’ll keep advocating for the emergency access component to be a part of any final measure. Currently, the Senate’s version includes a $75 copay as a partial funding mechanism for an emergency insulin access program, which is still too expensive. Our House plan asks pharmaceutical manufacturers to pitch in a small portion of their profits to help get an emergency program up and running so no one must ration or forgo their insulin.
Keeping Minnesotans safe
Thousands of Minnesotans support common-sense gun safety measures and I will reflect those views with my votes supporting HF 8 and HF 9 being debated at this hour on the House floor. Here is a brief description of the bills we are debating today:
HF 8 – Criminal Background Checks:
Criminal background checks have proven to help keep guns out of the hands of people who are dangerous. Most Minnesotans support mandatory criminal background checks on all gun sales, including those sold privately and at gun shows. Currently, nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia require criminal background checks for gun sales by unlicensed sellers.
HF 8 requires a criminal background check for anyone who receives a firearm in a transfer. There are many common-sense exceptions, such as between family members, during competitions, while hunting and at the gun range.
HF9 – Extreme Risk Protection Orders:
House File 9 would create a legal due process for courts to approve Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) which would prohibit an individual from temporarily possessing a firearm for a period of time.
Only law enforcement or prosecutors could request an ERPO and would need to provide a court with concrete evidence that an individual poses a significant danger by possessing firearms. A hearing would be held, and the individual could challenge the evidence. If the court determines an ERPO is warranted, the individual’s firearms would be transferred temporarily to law enforcement or a licensed dealer.
Extreme Risk Protection Order laws are in effect in 17 other states and the District of Columbia and have proven to reduce suicide rates and gun violence. Scientific polling shows 87% of Minnesotans support the bill, with just 4% opposed. All Minnesotans deserve to be safe and we know that these two measures can make a difference.
Visitors to the Capitol
This week I met with constituents and students during MPhA Pharmacy day on the hill.
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Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Laurie Pryor
State Representative