October is Here!
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
School has started and fall is here. As we all return to the daily routines while the leaves change on us, I wanted to reach out and let you know some of the work that is going on as we prepare for next February’s session, and perhaps even a special session on emergency insulin for those in critical situations. Some issues are too important to wait on any schedule.
Remember to make time for the family and enjoy the crimson and gold in our trees. From our family to yours,
Emergency Insulin
Recently both the Senate and the House held informational hearings to discuss their two separate proposals for dealing with emergency insulin for those who do not have the health coverage or ability to afford their life saving medication. The primary difference between the two proposals:
Senate: Minnesotans who do not qualify for public programs and have family income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines can apply through MNsure to access the program and meet with their doctor, who can then submit an order to the manufacturer for up to a 120 day supply. A patient is eligible for one year and can receive multiple 120 day supplies, and they can renew eligibility each year until the program sunsets in 2023.
House: Minnesotans who do not qualify for public programs and have family income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines can apply with the Department of Human Services for access to the emergency insulin assistance program. Once a patient is determined eligible, they are issued a card and can use that card at any participating pharmacy to receive insulin with a valid prescription. Patients pay the same discounted co-pay as MinnesotaCare enrollees. The card is valid for 90 days and patients can reapply for assistance 12 months after the card expires. There is no sunset. The program is funded by fees assessed to insulin manufacturers.
School Trust Lands
(Senator John Hoffman, Jerry Newton, and Rep Dale Lueck)
I sit on the Legislative Permanent School Fund commission and had the privilege of touring some of the lands utilized in this program. These lands are leased out for lumber and mining and a portion of the profits go to every child attending school in Minnesota. In the Anoka-Hennepin School district this generated 1,475,808 in funding last year. In Osseo’s school district 797,864 was generated in funding. It is an amazing thing when good stewardship of our resources can combine with enhancing education for all of Minnesota’s youth. Check out the site https://mn.gov/school-trust-lands/and see how Every Child in Minnesota is a Trust Fund Baby.
(Senator John Hoffman, Carrie Ruud, and Jerry Newton at another stop on the Trust Land Tour)
A big shout out to Sober Squad! These guys are a fantastic peer support network for those in recovery. I had the honor of meeting with and giving a tour around the Capitol. Please check them out on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/359588741119973
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn.
There is always something going on! Here are some of the events and people I’ve had the honor of attending and knowing.
Mary Hartnett, Executive Director Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans for 19 years retired finally. She has been a strong advocate, a great friend and a force that will be sorely missed. I wish her the absolute best of all things.
Lutheran Social Services and their Salvation Army Partners came to visit the Capitol! I spoke with them on the importance of advocacy and gave them a tour ending at the Senate Floor.
In Memphis for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Conference! I was joined by Representative Her, Representative Lee, Representative Xiong and Senator Ruud.
What a treat to spend time with living legend Andrew Young. He served in Congress, was an Ambassador, and later elected as the Mayor of Atlanta. He was also in the Civil Rights movement and friends with MLK. It was an honor to listen to the man and shake his hand.
It was a pleasure speaking to ABATE MN about the wonderful partnership between them, law enforcement and the legislature to create common sense safety laws for our roads and motorcyclists.
Information and Resources
State Government
Governor
651.201.3400 | http://mn.gov/governor
Attorney General
651.296.3353 | www.ag.state.mn.us
Representative Melissa Hortman (36B)
651.296.4280
Representative Zack Stephenson (36A)
651.296.5513
Driver’s Licenses
651.297.3298 | drivers-license-information.aspx
MN Energy Assistance Program
800.657.3710
https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp
Election Information
651.215.1440 | https://www.sos.state.mn.us/
Emerald Ash Borer Prevention
and Detection
(MN Dept. of Agriculture)
pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol
651.201.6684
Local Government
City of Champlin 763.421.8100
City of Brooklyn Park 763.424.8000
City of Coon Rapids 763.755.2880
Anoka County 763.421.4760
Federal Government
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
612.727.5220 | https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
202.224-5641 | https://www.smith.senate.gov/HomePage
U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips (3rd CD)
202.225.2871 | https://phillips.house.gov/