Dear Neighbors,
This week, the legislature received an updated state budget forecast from the Minnesota Management and Budget Agency, showing a positive one-time balance. The forecast shows challenges for Minnesota, because costs go up and our forecast doesn’t count them. As a result, significant budget deficits are inevitable in the future. These deficits undermine our ability to deliver a quality education, good roads, and health care for Minnesotans and is why it’s important for us to exercise caution, especially as federal uncertainty looms with foreign trade wars and the recent Coronavirus outbreak. I’ll continue to support legislative strategies that promote wise budgeting and responsible fiscal management.
Coronavirus Update
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to monitor the outbreak and share information with local health officials.
MDH has information on their website about their current efforts, which include:
- Minnesota has a strong disease surveillance system in place that includes partnerships with our hospital and clinic systems as well as local health departments. Finding cases quickly and responding to them effectively is key. That rapid response helps ensure that the ill person receives the care they need and it lessens the chance of other people getting sick.
- We have sent information to health care providers around the state with current recommendations for screening and testing for COVID-19. We have also asked them to alert us if a person with recent travel to China becomes sick with respiratory symptoms. We will update providers with new information and recommendations as it becomes available.
- Systems and processes are in place to monitor travelers for symptoms of COVID-19.
- We have plans prepared for responding to a case(s) of COVID-19 in Minnesota.
- We are reaching out to community organizations that serve Chinese Minnesotans to provide information and answer questions.
- This website is being updated with the latest information when it is available.
- This is an evolving situation, so information and recommendations may change. We will continue to learn more in the coming days and share new information as it is available.
The MDH website includes information about how you can protect yourself, as well as guidance for travelers and health professionals.
I will continue to press state officials to ensure that Minnesota is as prepared as possible for a potential coronavirus outbreak.
Insulin Update
The Minnesota House passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act this week. I was very proud tonight to vote in favor of the bill to hold the pharmaceutical companies accountable for their outrageous price gouging on the cost of insulin. Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford the medications they need. I hope this will be the first of many bills this year to address the unacceptable prescription drug price increases in Minnesota.
Protecting Voter Data
Next week, Minnesotans will cast their votes in our first Presidential Primary since 1992. But many people I’ve spoken to are nervous about participating because data showing whether each voter selected a Republican or Democratic ballot will be made available to our major political parties. That is not the Minnesota way. That is why I was pleased to vote for a bill that would ensure that all data collected in the primary is protected and would give voters the ability to opt out of having their data collected in the first place. The bill passed off the House floor, but still needs to move through the Senate. I hope they move quickly; this is an urgent issue.
Stay Connected
Please contact me anytime with feedback, ideas, or to let me know how I can be of assistance. You can reach me at the Capitol at 651-296-5513 or by email at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn.
I appreciate hearing from you and value your input.
Sincerely,
Zack Stephenson