The 2022 Legislative Session is Underway

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and staying warm. The 2022 legislative session got underway Monday and the Capitol was full of anticipation for the first day. I’m looking forward to continuing the work for our communities and our great state. Our “to-do” list is a large one, with a key focus on targeted investments in Minnesotans who continue to struggle as our economy is recovering. Our frontline workers and first responders, students, older Minnesotans, and main street business owners continue to face challenges after weathering the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

We’ll need an all-hands-on-deck approach with legislative contributions from the House and Senate in our country’s only divided legislature to get the results our communities need to fully recover and thrive post-COVID-19. The 2022 Legislature will consider many proposals for this budget surplus, likely including investments in essential state services and enhanced public safety, delivering hazard pay for all frontline workers, reducing the cost of prescription drugs, providing affordable, quality child care, and public infrastructure improvements. Please always feel free to contact me anytime with your input and questions with me as we move through the session.

Insulin Safety Net Program

After serving on the bipartisan negotiating team to help pass the nation-leading Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, Minnesota's Insulin Safety Net Program is now up and running, saving lives. The bill, named after a young adult who died when he was forced to ration his insulin, gives Minnesotans access to an emergency supply along with a program to make affordable insulin available on a long-term basis.

Alec’s mother, Nicole Smith-Holt, is featured in this video where she shares Alec’s story. Please take a few minutes to watch and learn more about Minnesota’s Insulin Safety Net program.

As I treat patients, I continue to see cost as a barrier between people and access to the medication they need to thrive. Prescription drugs don’t work if people can't afford them, and I’m renewing my commitment to advance legislation that creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which would be tasked with reviewing the cost of prescription drugs and setting upper payment limits for drugs whose costs create an affordability challenge to patients and our health care system. This is just one of many House proposals to lower costs for Minnesotans.

Community Spotlight

Many thanks to everyone who came out in person and on-line to hear about local infrastructure projects in our area last month! Special thanks to Shorewood Mayor Jennifer Labadie, Tonka Bay Mayor Adam Jennings, Mound Mayor Ray Salazar and Mound Director of Public Works and City Manager Eric Hoversten, and Minnetonka Beach Public Works Superintendent Jason Hilgers for presenting their projects. Great conversation, great community! #Infrastructure #ForAHealthyThrivingMinnesota

I appreciated the opportunity to present to the Greenwood City Council yesterday. We talked about infrastructure, boater safety, early childhood education and Greenwood’s legislative priorities. South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Chief Tholen also presented and gave a crime and public safety update and talked about his priorities as chief.

Zoom offers more opportunities to connect with our community remotely (a bonus during these sub-zero temperatures!). I was grateful to constituent Dan Tengwall for taking time on a Sunday to share veterans’ legislative priorities for this session. I’m grateful for his service to our country and to the veteran community.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Minnetonka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peterson and Finance & Ops Director Paul Bourgeois about Minnetonka’s session priorities. I’m honored to represent this outstanding school district in the Minnesota House.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out by email or phone anytime to ask questions, share input, or let me know how I can be of assistance.

I look forward to working with you.

Take care,

Kelly

Beautiful sunrise on Lake Minnetonka last weekend.