 Dear Neighbors,
It’s officially Fall, and I hope this email newsletter finds you well. A lot has happened since I last wrote. I’ll plan to do a deeper dive during this Saturday’s Community Coffee Hour at 9:00 a.m.
 Here is an update from the Capitol and our community:
For families back at school, I hope you’re settling into the new routine and enjoying reconnecting with classmates, teachers, bus drivers, and all the essential support staff that make our schools a welcoming place for all. In between the hustle and bustle that comes with a new academic year, be sure to check out Minnesota’s Fall Color Finder to track when certain areas of our state are peaking with vibrant colors.
Trump Administration Eliminates Airline Travel Reimbursements and Hotel Compensation
As Minnesota families prepare for the extended weekend travel during MEA, the professional development conference for teachers, be aware that the Trump Administration is reversing federal requirements for airline reimbursements during significant flight disruptions and cancellations.
If you're booking flights for MEA break, consider purchasing travel insurance since airlines are no longer required to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations. Minnesota families deserve to know when federal policy changes affect their travel plans and budgets. You can learn more here.
Improving Independent Living for Minnesotans with Disabilities
Lifeworks Services recently welcomed my colleagues and me to their first-ever Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion in New Hope.
They shared their vision for the Lifeworks Centers for Disability Inclusion and the early successes of this new model of service delivery – a model designed to make disability inclusion the standard in every community. We all want to live in a state where we're doing better to help everyone thrive in their communities, especially our neighbors with disabilities, who deserve to live independently with dignity and quality care. I'm glad to partner with Lifeworks Services on delivering that promise to Minnesota.
Are we Making America Healthy Again?
I recently participated in a pair of health care roundtables to discuss rising premiums as a result of the Republican-led Congress, and how its provisions are expected to raise health care costs across the state starting on January 1, 2026.
Lowlights of the legislation:
- Cuts healthcare tax credits for millions
- Makes insurance more expensive
- Reduces coverage while raising costs
- Shortens enrollment periods
- Eliminates auto-renewal
Panelists warned that Minnesotans face steep premium increases and reduced coverage access, with rural areas and small businesses hit hardest. Without federal action, expiring tax credits will raise middle-class health costs by an average of $2,000 annually. You can read more details here.
Minnesota extended its Premium Security Plan reinsurance program to protect families and stabilize markets. Without it, 2026 premiums would jump nearly 25 percent higher. However, this is not a long term solution and state efforts alone can't fully counter harmful federal policies. Addressing and filling gaps as a result of these cuts to critical coverage (including Medicaid) will be a key priority of mine when the 2026 legislative session convenes in February.
Special Session on the Horizon?
I’m receiving hundreds of emails nearly daily demanding action on gun violence. I feel that same urgency. While the Governor solely has the power to call a Special Session, the Legislature has the authority to set the agenda and decide when that work is done. To effectively hold a special session on gun violence, it would take some bipartisan buy-in. I’ll keep you posted on those developments.
Under DFL leadership, we’ve made progress to protect Minnesotans from gun violence, including expanded criminal background checks, red flag laws, and strengthened threat reporting. We know these measures are already saving lives, but it’s not enough. There’s more we have to do to keep weapons of war out of our communities.
Helping Paws brings comfort to Falcon Ridge Middle School
In times when we all need some positive news, Herbie the service dog recently visited Falcon Ridge Middle School. Herbie comes from Helping Paws, a national nonprofit that breeds and trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, veterans and first responders with PTSD, and professionals in courthouses, schools, and mental health facilities. Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were deeply involved with this organization, would be proud to see the positive impact it's having on our students. You can watch the full WCCO story here.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime at [email protected] or 651-296-5506. I always appreciate your input and questions.
Thank you for the honor to serve our Apple Valley neighbors in St. Paul.
I hope to see you on Saturday!
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative
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