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State Representative Tina Liebling
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0573
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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GOVERNOR DAYTON’S SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET WOULD RESTORE SOME CUTS TO CAREGIVERS, MEDICAL EDUCATION, AND CARE FOR SICKEST MINNESOTANS
ST. PAUL — Today, Governor Dayton released his Supplemental FY12-13 Budget proposal. The proposal includes $5.9 million for Personal Care Attendant (PCA) funding to help correct some of the cuts made to the program in last year’s budget. The budget passed during special session cut the wages of people who provide PCA care to a relative by 20 percent. A judge temporarily blocked this discriminatory cut, but a legislative fix is needed.
Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), is the DFL Lead on the Health and Human Services Reform Committee and the chief author of HF 1907, which would reverse the wage cut at a cost of $14.92 million.
“I applaud Governor Dayton’s decision to correct some of the devastating cuts to the Personal Care Attendant funding," said Rep. Liebling. “The PCAs whose wages were cut are caring for disabled family members, and providing excellent care at a lower cost to the state. They aren’t doing this for the money; it’s a labor of love. Often they have given up other employment and are only able to do this because they receive a little money from the state.
“We should be thanking these people, not paying them less than a stranger would earn for the same care. While this money won’t completely reverse the cuts made last year it’s a step in the right direction. I will continue working to fully fund the program.”
The supplemental budget also includes $6.4 million for Medical Education Research Costs, and $4.7 million for emergency, life-saving care like chemotherapy and dialysis for the sickest Minnesotans.
“Investments in medical education are so important to Minnesota’s future,” added Rep. Liebling. “We must continue to educate care providers in this state. These investments pay for themselves.”
Governor Dayton’s supplemental budget is funded by narrowing a corporate tax loophole for overseas income. This proposal would narrow that 80 percent tax preference to 62 percent this year and 39 percent next year.
“Despite claims by Republicans, new revenue is clearly needed,” concluded Rep. Liebling. “If we want to be a prosperous state, we must invest in education, innovation, research and development, transportation, and health care. By doing this, we’ll remain a competitive state for businesses, with a highly-educated workforce and the infrastructure businesses need to be successful.”
News Items
- House Of Representatives Passes Omnibus Education Bill - (Posted: May 18 2013 12:00AM)
- House Passes Omnibus HHS Finance Bill - (Posted: Apr 16 2013 10:13AM)
- Rep. Liebling: Medicaid Expansion Good for Minnesotans and State Budget - (Posted: Feb 19 2013 12:00AM)
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