Dear neighbors,
I’m continuing to keep Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth in my thoughts as we carry on with our work at the Capitol. Please visit the City of Burnsville’s website for important updates regarding their memorial services.
Additionally, a benevolent fund has been established to benefit their families. Please consider making a contribution if you are able:
LELS Benevolent Fund, Inc.
c/o: Law Enforcement Labor Services
2700 Freeway Boulevard, Suite 700
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
In the news release, Burnsville city officials emphasize the LELS Benevolent Fund is the only contribution site that has been verified on behalf of the families.
We just wrapped up our second week of the legislative session at the Capitol. As a reminder, in addition to my role as Vice Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, I also serve on the following committees:
In addition to my committee assignments, I also serve as the co-chair of the House Climate Action Caucus.
Advocates at the Capitol
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with many constituents and advocates, including constituents from Faith in Minnesota. They were here to show their support for a public option health plan, which I wholeheartedly support. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country, and a public option is one way that we could help ease the burden of health costs on working and middle class families.
Climate Action
House DFLers are continuing to take action on addressing the climate crisis, and this week saw a number of bill hearings to do just that.
Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL-Minneapolis) presented her bill House File 3577, known as the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee. The bill aims to reduce waste generation through reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting, and help hold producers responsible for the packaging waste they create.
Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL-St. Louis Park) also presented his bill House File 4009 to the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. In Minnesota, our number one source of greenhouse gas emissions is transportation, and land use drives transportation emissions. This bill is designed to increase housing density and ensure that housing is closer to public transit. If we want to tackle the climate crisis, we need to make it easier to live our lives without having to drive as much. This bill is an important step in that direction.
PACT Act and your VA Benefits
The PACT Act is a new law expanding VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. You can learn more about the PACT Act and how to file a claim by clicking here.
Question of the Week
Introducing Question of the Week! Listening to constituents is the most important part of my job as your state representative. That’s why every week during the legislative session, I’ll pose a question to you in my newsletter, and you can send your answers directly to me!
This week’s question:
How have you or someone you know been affected by medical debt?
You can send your answers in an email to rep.liz.reyer@house.mn.gov with the subject line “Question of the Week.” I’m looking forward to reading your responses and learning from your experiences.
Stay in Touch
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or feedback you’d like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.liz.reyer@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-4128. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Liz Reyer
State Representative