MNA Legislative Preview
Session Begins January 8
The 2013 Minnesota legislative session starts on Tuesday, January 8. With new DFL majorities in the House and Senate, the political climate at the Capitol will be very different than the past two years, and will offer some new opportunities for nurses to work on policy priorities, as well as some new challenges.
In the 2012 election, DFLers won back majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate. Senate Majority Leader-elect Tom Bakk of Cook and House Speaker-elect Paul Thissen of Minneapolis have stated their top priorities for the 2013 session will be responsibly balancing our state budget, strengthening our education system and creating good jobs .
Nursing Policy Priorities
During the 2013 session, nurses will advocate for proactive policies that will protect and advance the profession of nursing, promote patient safety and increase access to health care. MNA supports:
- a state budget that increases our ability to provide adequate and safe care to patients and strengthens the middle class;
- securing maximum patient assignment limits for Registered Nurses;
- affordable, high-quality health care for all;
- restructuring the State Operated Services system to better serve patients and workers.
Advocate for Your Patients and Your Profession
To be an active and effective nurse-lobbyist, it’s important for you to build a relationship with your legislators, and let them know they have a resource on nursing issues in their district. To find and contact your legislators, use the MNA Grassroots Action Center.
Dozens of new legislators were elected in 2012, and will need education on nursing issues. This week, send a friendly message introducing yourself to your legislators. Let them know you’ll be in touch throughout the session to share your stories and provide information about important nursing issues.
Attend Nurses Day on the Hill: February 4-5
Nurses Day on the Hill is a great opportunity to get to know your legislators and learn more about policies affecting nurses, patients and working families. We’ll make appointments for you with your legislators and provide you the tools to advocate for policies that advance nursing values. Sign up today to reserve your space and so we can make legislator appointments for you.