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State Representative Kathy Brynaert

569 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3248

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Posted: 2012-04-27 00:00:00
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E-Update

2012 SESSION UPDATE

Dear Friends:

Spring is here and the clock is winding down on the 2012 legislative session. I would like to provide an update on what has been accomplished and what is left to get done before session adjourns in the next few days. This session, a couple of bipartisan efforts resulted in some important legislation being sent to the Governor, including:

Omnibus Health and Human Services

The Omnibus Health and Human Services bill reverses two of the most controversial and damaging cuts that were enacted in last year’s budget. It restores the 20 percent wage cut to Personal Care Attendants (PCA) who provide care to a relative as well as emergency Medical Assistance for chemotherapy and dialysis. The cuts are restored only for this fiscal year and would still go into effect in the next biennium. So these are issues that need to continue to be watched along with the dental needs for the severely disabled that were cut last year.

In addition, the bill makes reforms to foster care options for people with autism who are currently receiving home and community-based services. The state will work with counties on pilot autism-specific group homes, provided by people specifically trained to meet the needs of this specific population. The Department of Human Services is directed to explore creative residential models aimed at providing a better integration of services for children diagnosed with autism in the hope of combining that knowledge and the results of the pilot project toward continued reforms in the coming years.

Protecting vulnerable adults and children

This bill was signed into law. The new law makes the intentional abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults a felony crime. It also toughens criminal penalties for parents who use restraints to abuse and harm a child. The law creates new felony penalties for those who willfully and knowingly neglect a vulnerable adult, or who abusively restrain children. The definition of “abuse" and “neglect” includes intentional behavior that deprives a vulnerable adult or child of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision that could likely result in substantial or great bodily harm. This legislation was worked on by a broad and bipartisan coalition of legislators, health care providers, and advocates.

While these are positive developments, there is much unfinished business.

Here are some important items that need to be addressed before the 2012 session adjourns:

Restoring the Homestead Credit

There is no question – property taxes are too high and must be lowered. I support a balanced approach to providing property tax relief that does not pit one property owner against another. Restoration of the Homestead Credit is a best method for property tax relief and why I have co-authored a bill to bring it back. The 44-year old Homestead Credit provided direct relief to 95% of homeowners. It was a targeted credit that showed up automatically on your property tax statement, and its removal led to substantial property taxes hikes for homeowners, businesses, farmers and renters for taxes payable in 2012.


Bonding

One major task of the legislature this year is to invest in public works projects or infrastructure – a process commonly known as bonding. Bonding includes construction and repairs of roads and bridges, flood prevention and mitigation, buildings on college campuses, veterans’ homes, correctional facilities, waste water treatment plants, and public facilities with regional or statewide significance. A comprehensive bonding bill can stretch taxpayer dollars further by taking advantage of record low interest rates and discounted building costs for materials and labor. It provides work for thousands of unemployed construction workers, contractors, engineers, architects and others, and it creates long-term private sector jobs.

Jobs Initiatives

A high priority and incredibly successful jobs program called FastTRAC should be expanded this session. FastTRAC provides adult workers with the education and career development training skills needed for employment in high-demand fields like health care and advanced manufacturing. It utilizes broad partnerships between the MnSCU institutions, Adult Basic Education, workforce development and local businesses to ensure education and training programs appropriately match workforce demands. FastTRAC participants have a track record of moving to stable employment with a livable wage.

Another jobs measure that should be advanced provides appropriations to the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF), a program that helps Minnesota companies stay competitive by closing financing gaps faced by businesses looking to expand, while investing in community development. MIF has a proven positive track record.

Paying back our school

Our schools are still owed $2.4 billion because of the budget agreement passed in the special session. I opposed this agreement and continue to work toward an appropriate payback plan. As we move forward and our economy strengthens, I will be advocating for paying back what is owed in an ongoing and complete fashion.

Vikings stadium

A great deal of media attention has been given to the issue of building a new Vikings stadium. Over the past many months several proposals have appeared, disappeared and been reconfigured. The major remaining disagreements are around the state’s share of the funding and the mechanism to achieve that. A great many people do not want the Vikings to leave Minnesota but to date there has not been a single, clear proposal brought forth that is comprehensive enough to build bipartisan consensus.

While there is much to do, I am hopeful that we will continue to work toward resolution of the major remaining issues. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions.

It is an honor to serve you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,

Kathy Brynaert, State Representative

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