Minnesota Department of Commerce

Today at Children's Minnesota, for the first in a series of roundtable discussions around Minnesota, state officials, doctors, patients and advocates shared info and stories of the devastating impacts of proposed cuts by the U.S. Congress to Medicaid and health care funding. While specific proposals have yet to be unveiled, state estimates show that Minnesota could lose as much as $1.6 billion annually. These draconian cuts would impact health care for Minnesotans of all ages, from vaccines for children to long-term care for the elderly. As Julia Dreier, Deputy Commissioner of Insurance at the Minnesota Department of Commerce explained, federal funding cuts of this magnitude could raise costs and cut health services for every Minnesotan, especially those living in rural areas. Dreier was joined at the roundtable by Jeremy Drucker, who led the roundtable on behalf of the governor, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, Minnesota Medicaid Director John Connolly at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, MNsure CEO Libby Caulum, Dr. Farah Cassis Ghavami, as well as representatives for Ramsey County public health and youth mental health services. Attending for the #mnleg were State Reps. Liz Reyer and Emma Greenman. The roundtable featured compelling personal stories from Minnesotans who rely on Medicaid for their everyday livelihood. The stories showed the real-life impacts if Medicaid cuts led to severely limit coverage, forcing vulnerable populations - particularly older adults and people with disabilities - to make difficult choices about their care, including long-term care options. Learn more and share your story: https://lnkd.in/gdNUxUAX #Medicaid

In a letter published by InForum Fargo-Moorhead, Grace Arnold, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce warns as tariffs and the trade war heat up, Minnesotans will foot the energy bill. "Because of Minnesota's high dependence on Canadian sources of energy, this will disproportionately affect Minnesotans in their pocketbooks. It will raise the price of the gas we put in our cars, the natural gas we heat our houses with, and the electricity we import as Canadian hydropower." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gxjVV65G #tariffs

Our latest Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Alerts is out! This month’s topics include how to be aware of online romance scams, how to apply for the Child Tax Credit and more. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/g4NVSk7A

We’re proud to share that Minnesota ranks in the top 10 for state energy efficiency! The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard ranks the 50 states and DC on their policies and programs to advance energy efficiency. Amid rising energy costs, many states are recognizing energy efficiency’s important role in making energy more affordable and helping families and businesses reduce costs. Since the State Scorecard process began, Minnesota has been ranked in the top 10 in 15 out of 16 editions that have been released by The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Additionally, Minnesota ranked tenth in the nation and first in the Midwest. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/esrXn4qH

We’re so excited to have partnered with the AESP at last week’s annual conference. Tracy Smetana, MPA, Energy Affordability Office Director for Minnesota Department of Commerce gave a presentation on Commerce’s Home Energy Rebates and Weatherization Assistance Programs. Interested in learning more about these topics? Check out https://lnkd.in/gzwdMWyP

Romance scammers tell all sorts of lies to steal people's hearts and money. Reports to the Federal Trade Commission?show those lies are working. Nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam, and reported losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion in 2022. Romance scammers target people looking for love on platforms such as dating apps and social media. But how can you tell the difference between dating or defrauding? If you know a senior or vulnerable adult who may have been scammed, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Senior Safe Team at [email protected] and learn more at https://lnkd.in/exPKajsk https://lnkd.in/gDhDfGQ

Minnesotans can get consumer protection help from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Have complaints about debt collection, insurance, payday loans, PayPal or Venmo, real estate agents or property appraisers? State laws protect you. Learn more https://lnkd.in/g9RRFqFb #consumerprotections #ncpw2025?

Minnesota Department of Commerce 's Weights and Measure's team participated in the annual bipartisan bag-off at the Capitol building today, hosted by the MN Grocer's Association. Lawmakers were judged on proper bagging technique, speed, and distribution of weight.

Minnesota will make dramatic progress to transition our state to a clean energy future, save Minnesotans money and protect our environment with cleaner, "homegrown" energy with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approval of Xcel Energy's 2024 to 2040 plan for energy resources in Minnesota. "Commerce negotiated a settlement that will provide reliable, increasingly clean energy to meet the needs of our growing economy," said Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold. "This settlement ensures consumers and businesses will benefit from lower-cost, homegrown clean energy sources like wind and solar, while investing in innovative technologies." The Minnesota Department of Commerce convened and led negotiations for Xcel's long-term plan with Xcel and other stakeholders. Special thanks to the PUC, Xcel, LIUNA Minnesota, Clean Grid Alliance, Fresh Energy, IUOE Local 49, and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJdtd2d3

MN's ECO Act is moving forward: $2M grants by Minnesota Department of Commerce for research to identify new tech and strategies to maximize energy efficiencies and savings to benefit all Minnesotans. Learn more about our Energy Conservation and Optimization work: https://lnkd.in/gT3Xq-EY