Legislative Update from Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Friends and neighbors, 

Happy Easter and Chag Sameach to those who celebrate the respective holidays. This week, the legislature is on Spring Recess, which gives us legislators a moment to take a breath before the last stretch of the legislative session. With budget bills starting to head to the floor next week, we could be facing some long discussions and late nights on the floor, all very well worth it to do right by Minnesotans.  

Budget Bills

In my last update, I told you about how the House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, and Governor Walz reached an agreement on a framework for a new state budget. Now, committees are working hard to finalize our budget bills and pass excellent legislation for Minnesota.  

As Chair of the House Labor & Industry Committee, I’m incredibly excited about our budget bill. Once passed, it will be the strongest worker safety bill ever passed by the House, incorporating actions to protect Minnesota’s workers, and specific legislation to improve conditions for those working at oil refineries, warehouses, meatpacking facilities, and nursing homes, along with those competing in combative spots.

Update your MinnesotaCare Information

Each year, Minnesotans enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare must have their eligibility reviewed to verify they still qualify for coverage. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this renewal process was paused, and Minnesotans enrolled in these programs maintained continuous health care coverage. This spring, when the federal health emergency ends, the standard renewal process will resume.  

If you’re among the 1.5 million Minnesotans who rely on Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, make sure your current contact information is on file, especially if you’ve moved in the last three years. Visit mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo or call (800) 657-3672 to update your address, phone number and email address. Also, be on the lookout for official information and instructions about how to renew your coverage, and be prepared with some documentation when it’s time to renew. Learn more at mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage. 

House DFLers are committed to ensuring all eligible Minnesotans retain their public coverage when renewals restart while connecting those ineligible with other coverage options. Last month, lawmakers approved and Governor Walz signed into law a bill to ease this “unwinding” by investing resources for counties to process renewals, support for MNsure navigators, and making MinnesotaCare available with no premiums through June 30, 2024.

Keep in Touch

To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. 

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-3751, and I will be happy to help.  

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 Have a great weekend.  

In solidarity,  

Michael V. Nelson