Neighbors,
It feels like fall is really here now, so if you want to get out and enjoy it you should check out the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fall color finder!
We’ve been busy around the Capitol! Here’s an update:
Mini-Session
We’re taking the legislature on the road! We know that not everyone can travel to St. Paul to advocate for their priorities and their community. That’s why this week we held a mini-session in southeastern Minnesota, which included committee hearings, roundtables, and informative tours.
Though the Minnesota House doesn’t officially reconvene until February 2020, bringing our work to outside communities offers a chance for us to see our work through a different lens. The last mini-session was in 1997 in Willmar, and we’re hoping our work this year restarts the tradition of holding offsite hearings and making the Minnesota House more accessible. You can find the full agenda of events here.
We took a tour at the U of M Hormel Institute on cancer research and a tour of Riverland Community College.
Climate Action
Last week, young people around the world held rallies to bring awareness to climate change and ask lawmakers to take action. We worked in partnership with young people participating in Climate Action Week in announcing a new Climate Action Caucus. The caucus is working on a plan to find solutions and establish Minnesota as a national leader in the fight against climate change.
Governor Walz also announced that Minnesota will implement clean car standards projected to reduce our state’s carbon emissions by two million tons by 2030. The new policy means that those who choose to drive clean cars will have more options and will pay less at the pump. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency released a fact sheet with more information about these standards and how they will impact Minnesotans. It’s available here.
Emergency Insulin
Last week, the Minnesota House held a public hearing to discuss the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act and other proposed solutions to address the skyrocketing cost of insulin and other prescription drugs. The price of insulin has tripled in the last decade, and studies indicate that 1 in 4 diabetics have resorted to rationing their insulin due to the high cost. Nobody should ever have to ration or skip the medication they rely on to survive.
I am encouraged the Senate has begun to acknowledge the accessibility and affordability barriers many Minnesotans are facing with insulin and will continue to work to ensure Minnesotans can afford health care they need.
LCCMR Survey
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is seeking input for a strategic plan that will guide Environment and Natural Resources investments for the next six years. I encourage you to take our short, anonymous survey and share it with anyone who might be interested in participating! The survey will be open until Monday, October 28.
Historic Fort Snelling
Another way to have your voice heard is through the statewide conversation on possibly changing the name of Historic Fort Snelling. As the site undergoes construction to revitalize the fort, a survey and public meetings are providing the opportunity for the Minnesota public to weigh in on the different ways the name of Historic Fort Snelling could be updated to reflect the history and experiences of multiple cultures and peoples. You can find more information on the public input process on the Minnesota Historical Society’s webpage here.
Please reach out with any comments or questions!
Sincerely,
Rep. Sam Vang