When the final gavel dropped early in the morning on May 25, the legislature had fulfilled its constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget. Various budget and policy priorities from both parties, both chambers, and the Governor’s office had fallen to the cutting room floor. Getting to this point – where each and every governor and legislature eventually make it – was filled with ups, downs, bumps, and the occasional sharp turn. Through all of it, guided by the blueprint laid out in Realizing the Vision – the product of working groups convened by Medical Alley Association – we were there tirelessly advocating on behalf of the health innovation and care community.
We helped deliver on a number of priorities important to Medical Alley companies, employees, and the patients they serve, including strengthening our early-stage ecosystem through reinstatement of the Angel Tax Credit Program and establishment of Launch Minnesota (aka The Minnesota Innovation Collaborative); increasing the supply of talent by funding the SciTechsperience Internship Program; and helping legislators see the deficiencies in several other policies that would have hindered our business environment and the state’s competitiveness. In one of the victories that will provide the most immediate impact, a new rare diseases advisory council will be housed at the University of Minnesota, which will help patients and families affected by rare diseases by providing resources to them and by pushing forward groundbreaking research.
We put this recap together to show you the impact that your voice has in St. Paul and to help you better understand the outcome of the 2019 Minnesota legislative session. We hope this recap is helpful to you in understanding how actions taken during the 2019 Minnesota legislative session (and special session) impact Medical Alley, its companies, and the patients they serve.
