Dear Neighbors,
I hope that this email finds you safe, healthy, and staying warm!
Here’s the latest news from the Capitol, where we’re wrapping up the first month of the legislative session:
Expanding Access to Health Care
Our families, communities, and economy are stronger when everyone has affordable, high-quality health care. House DFLers recently introduced a plan to expand health care access by allowing everyone to enroll in MinnesotaCare. Currently, Minnesotans must meet income guidelines to enroll in the program, which started as a bipartisan initiative in 1992 and now provides coverage for approximately 92,000 people. Under our plan, people beyond the current income guidelines could opt-in to MinnesotaCare, paying premiums on a sliding, income-based scale. This would lower out-of-pocket costs and provide access to a strong network of providers. I’m proud to be a co-author of this proposal and look forward to watching it move through the legislative process.
Examining Climate Change’s Impact on Public Health
We are in the middle of a climate crisis, and Minnesotans are already experiencing health impacts. If we don’t take action, we will see higher rates of asthma and respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses, heat stress, and mental health issues as our climate continues changing. People of color and low-income communities will be impacted disproportionately.
Last week, two House committees that I’m a member of – the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee and the Preventative Health Division – held a joint hearing to discuss the public health threats posed by climate change. Medical and climate professionals shared sobering testimony about current and future consequences, highlighting the need for urgent action. You can watch the entire hearing here.
Managing Emerald Ash Borer
Minnesota has almost one billion ash trees, more than any other state in the nation. Unfortunately, that means we’re especially vulnerable to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). If this invasive species of beetle spreads across the state, we’ll be forced to remove large numbers of trees. This would put a significant strain on the environment and city budgets.
The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee and the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee held a public hearing dedicated to EAB management this morning. We heard testimony about the current status of EAB in Minnesota and discussed potential solutions. You can watch our conversation here.
Governor Walz’s Budget Proposal
Governor Walz released his budget proposal for the next two years last week. Called the COVID-19 Recovery Budget, the proposal focuses on supporting working families, ensuring students catch up on learning, and helping small businesses stay afloat while driving Minnesota’s economic recovery. We’ll review the governor’s recommendations and develop our own budget proposal over the next few weeks. I’m optimistic that we can all work together to craft a balanced budget that invests in the things that will help Minnesotans make it through the pandemic and thrive after it ends.
I appreciate all of the questions and comments that I’ve received over the past month. Please keep reaching out! You can contact me at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn or 651-296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative