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Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the reprieve from the windchills.

Our work continues at the Capitol; we?re working expeditiously in partnership with the Senate, Governor, and Minnesotans asking us to address a multitude of issues.

Here?s a look at what we?re advancing at the State Capitol:

Helping our Communities Thrive

Safer Streets

Yesterday, the House passed bipartisan legislation to invest funds in legal support to prosecute violent crimes such as attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, sexual assault, robbery, and burglary; human trafficking/sex trafficking. Currently, our counties are stretched thin, especially in rural parts of the state. Many of these communities have a low tax base, and that shouldn?t prevent locals from accessing the legal tools they need to keep bad actors off their streets. This is a commonsense approach counties have asked for so they can hire more prosecutors to do just that. WCCO covered the topic and you can see the story here.

Supporting our Older Minnesotans

Today I presented my bill in the State and Local Government Committee that would establish a taskforce on aging in Minnesota. The most recent 2020 Census data shows that Minnesota?s 65+ population was 948,841 or one in six Minnesotans. This huge demographic shift will have a widespread impact on Minnesota?s economy, health care system, and social services, and it?s imperative we are ready for it.

Among other things, if enacted, the task force will review aging-related government functions, programs, and services, plans to improve health and support services, public and private strategies to support family caregivers, sustainment of neighborhoods and communities, and supporting quality of care and life improvements in long-term care homes.

I?m glad the bill is moving forward.

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs

We also heard in our committee today a bill to address the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs. First, it prohibits price gouging on generic drugs, and secondly, creates a prescription drug affordability board to review and limit how much big pharma can charge Minnesotans for high-cost drugs. We know drugs don?t work if people can?t afford them. This is just one initiative we?re working on at the Legislature to lower costs for Minnesotans, and I?m especially glad this one advanced to its next stop, the Health Finance Committee.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, honoring and celebrating the important role African Americans have played in shaping history and society in Minnesota and across the country.

Yesterday, I was honored to meet with the Center for Economic Inclusion, the nation's first organization dedicated exclusively to closing racial wealth gaps and creating regional economics that work for everyone.

We discussed a variety of issues, including how we can enact strategies lifting up our shared prosperity; home ownership, access to capital, childcare, healthcare, and good wages.

Town Hall Meeting on February 18

I?m excited to share the details with you of our first District 42 Town Hall of 2023! On Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m., Rep. Carroll, Sen. Westlin, and I will hold a nonpartisan District 42 Town Hall to discuss the 2023 legislative session. Community members are invited to share their ideas, priorities, and to ask questions about issues important to them. I?m looking forward to seeing and hearing from you!

Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime at [email protected] to share feedback, questions, or ideas. Your input drives my work and gets us the results Plymouth and Medicine Lake deserve.

Have a great week!

Warmly,

Ginny Klevorn
State Representative