Neighbors, With just days left until Trump’s Government Shutdown causes 440,000 Minnesotans to lose the food assistance they rely on to put food on the table, it seems that Congressional Republicans feel no pressure to get back to Washington and work on a funding bill that will stop this unnecessary pain and suffering. We know how important it is for our kids to have reliable meals. Minnesota’s Universal School Meals program ensures all public school students get free breakfast and lunch, but because of this shutdown, over 152,000 Minnesota children who rely on SNAP will lose access to meals outside of school hours. Donald Trump thinks he’s “sticking it” to blue districts, but he's sorely mistaken. Rural areas, which are largely represented by Republicans, will be hit the hardest by the shutdown. Over 45% of SNAP recipients in Minnesota live outside of the 7-county metro and have even less access to food shelves and banks to rely on. A group of legislators, including myself, sent a letter to President Trump urging an end to this shutdown. This cruelty is unconscionable. If you are in need of food assistance, you can find resources here. If you are looking for a way to help, consider donating time, money, or food to your local food bank or food shelf. You can find resources in our community here.  Food assistance isn’t the only thing at risk – Minnesotans face a stark rise in healthcare costs due to congressional Republicans’ eagerness to hand bonuses to their billionaire buddies. I joined my colleagues in a press conference to urge Congress to choose people over profits and renew the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are making everyone’s – not just those on Medicaid – health care affordable. Unless Congress takes action to renew these credits, the average monthly premium for those who get their health insurance through MNsure will go from $326 per month to $503. Minnesotans across the state are already having to pinch pennies due to soaring inflation, tariffs, and rising food costs. This increase in insurance premiums will force too many Minnesotans off of health insurance altogether. Failing to renew these credits is a reckless, irresponsible, and cruel move. We must continue to raise our voices and fight for our neighbors. |