Dear Neighbors, I hope this email finds you well, and you had a nice holiday with the warmer weather. A big thank you to everyone who attended and made their voices heard in our recent town hall meeting in West Saint Paul. We had a robust discussion around mental health care, reproductive health care, paid family and medical leave and more. Stay tuned for my next Community Coffee hour, which will be held in June post-session.  The legislature has returned from our spring recess, and we’ve hit the ground running with less than six weeks remaining until our constitutionally required date to adjourn. Over the next few weeks, we’ll begin to discuss and pass budget bills off of the House Floor. Here’s a look at our progress so far: Legacy BudgetIn 2008, Minnesota’s voters passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment because all of us want our state to be a great place to live, work, and play. On Wednesday this week, the House DFL passed legislation investing over $820 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota’s most treasured spaces and places and increasing access for all. With investments in our outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage, the 2023 Legacy Budget Bill will make our community and Dakota County a better place to live for current and future generations, including by expanding free parks days and arts and cultural education programs. I was proud to vote ‘yes’ to expand opportunities so all communities across the state can access these Legacy investments.  House Higher Education BudgetAlso yesterday, we passed our proposed Higher Education budget. With declining enrollment across higher education, we’re providing a record increase in investment for Minnesota’s colleges and universities. Our budget prioritizes a higher education system that is affordable, accessible, and effectively building the skilled workforce Minnesota deserves. As Whether it’s a tuition freeze across the Minnesota State system, addressing the U of M’s tuition shortfall, investing in our tribal colleges, or ensuring today’s students are prepared for tomorrow’s jobs, our Higher Education budget is a crucial component in making Minnesota a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I was glad to support its passage.  Update on Minnesota Assistance and MinnesotaCare Coverage 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. Black Maternal Health WeekApril 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week. Black Maternal Health Week, originated by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, was created to raise awareness of diminished maternal health outcomes in America, especially among Black women. In the U.S., maternal mortality rates have steadily increased since the 1990s with a sharp 64 percent rise between 2019 and 2021, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus in the Minnesota House, we’re working on legislation to close critical access gaps and improve outcomes for Black mothers and babies.   National Prescription Drug Takeback DayNext Saturday, April 22nd, is National Prescription Drug Takeback Day. Our communities will have dedicated locations where people can drop off unused prescription drugs so that they can be disposed of safely. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's why it is so important for all of us to clean out our medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously – unused prescription drugs. You can click on this link to find a drop-off location near you.  Keep in TouchPlease always reach out with questions, if you need assistance, or you’d like to share what’s on your mind. I appreciate your input! You’re also welcome to follow me on my official Facebook page for more community news and Capitol updates. Thank you for the honor of representing you at the State Capitol. Forward, Mary Frances Clardy
State Representative |