Hello neighbors, It’s Week 4 of session, and we’re working on some strong bills to make life better for Minnesotans.  A More Affordable Life for MinnesotansIn Minnesota, you should be able to afford your life with an average job. Due to decades of policy benefitting the wealthiest few over the rest of us, it’s harder than ever to make ends’ meet and save for the future. It doesn’t have to be like this. Last week, my colleagues and I released our plan to make Minnesotans’ lives more affordable with a focus on some of the highest costs for families: health care, child care, groceries, housing, and energy. In one of the wealthiest states, in the wealthiest country in the world, we have people foregoing essential health care because of the cost. This system doesn’t make sense for anyone but the people who profit off of it, and it’s our duty to fix it for Minnesotans. That’s why we’re taking on Big Insurance, pharmaceutical companies, and corporate middlemen in health care. Our agenda also includes a bill to ban corporations from buying more than 50 single-family homes and holding them as assets — inflating the market and raising costs for anyone who needs to rent or buy housing. I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to pass this, even in a tied House. Click here for our full affordability agenda. I don't think people should have to choose between the care they need to live, and paying for food for their kids, or paying for the rent or the mortgage. Let me know what you think - how would these policies affect your life? First bills on the floor this weekOn Thursday, the House is scheduled to vote on three bills, including a bill to rename the Community Solar Garden Program for Speaker Emerita, and former Energy Committee chair, Melissa Hortman. In 2013, Melissa authored the law that established the Community Solar Garden Program and set the state’s solar standard, leading to a dramatic increase in the state’s use of solar power and a growth in green economy jobs. As Speaker, Hortman continued to work to support the community solar program and led efforts to pass the state’s 100% Clean Energy by 2040 goal. The community solar program was one of the accomplishments Melissa was most proud of in her entire legislative career, and it’s more than fitting that we name the program after her. ICE UpdateWhat we went through with Operation Metro Surge is not normal. It’s also not over. Two Minnesotans were killed by federal agents, and the federal government lied about it. As a prosecutor, I know the deep significance of state law enforcement being forced off the scene, agents driving off with evidence to not be seen again, and US attorneys resigning in protest. Lines were crossed here — it’s the definition of federal overreach, and colleagues on the other side of the aisle have opposed common-sense bills to support the rule of law, accountability, and prevention. I ask everyone who cares about these issues to talk to their friends and family about them. It’s important for everyone to know what’s at stake. In these tough moments where we’re fighting for common-sense justice, I think of this quote from one of my favorite leaders of the 20th century: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” — Robert F. Kennedy Sr. Every time you helped a neighbor in need over the last few months, you were sending out one of those ripples of hope. Minnesota is showing the nation how to care for each other, and I’ll do everything I can this year to make sure our state Legislature meets the moment. Stay in Touch!I greatly appreciate any time my constituents take out of their busy lives to share their thoughts and opinions with me. Please continue to reach out — it truly helps me represent you at the Legislature. You can email me at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn.gov. Sincerely, Zack  |