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State Representative Tara Mack
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5506
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Email update
Committee hears governor's budget plan
Greetings from the Capitol!
The Legislature resumed work this week after a quick Easter break where we spent time meeting with people in our home districts.
Our schedules were packed with committee work this week since today is the second deadline for policy bills. We had a lengthy tax committee meeting this week to discuss the governor’s budget and his proposed tax increases. This was a great chance for us to hear from citizens, business folks and public workers as they provided testimony. The governor’s proposal ultimately was voted down by members of both parties.
Minnesota expects to receive an additional $3 billion in revenue during the 2012-13, enough for a 9-percent increase in spending. The message we are hearing is that increase should be enough to make ends meet.
PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT BILL PASSES FLOOR VOTE
A bill I authored (H.F. 695) pertaining to civil immunity for municipalities who donate used safety equipment passed the House floor by a unanimous vote this week. This bill is a good and logical step in allowing our local governments to partner together to share needed resources in a time when budgets are tight while protecting them from liability for making a donation.
HOUSE APPROVES MINNESOTACARE REFORM
The Healthy Minnesota Contribution Program would move certain MinnesotaCare enrollees to private health care insurance, under a bill we passed in the House this week. H.F. 8 would give a state subsidy to low-income adults without children, and if approved by a federal waiver, low-income adults with children, to purchase their own health care insurance. This is an innovative approach towards healthcare reform enabling people to choose the care that is best for them and their families.
It is important to note this is not an insurance exchange; this is a way for Minnesotans to purchase individual health care. Those with family gross incomes between 133 percent and 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines would meet the requirement for the subsidy. A person would pay a monthly contribution based on age and income.
A VISIT FROM AVHS STUDENTS
Finally, one of the highlights of my week was having the chance to sit down with a group of high school seniors from Apple Valley High School who came to St. Paul this week. We talked about the work going on at the Capitol and got to hear about what they are interested in and concerned about. I enjoyed their insights and observations about how things work in state government.
Please continue providing me with feedback as we enter the home stretch of the session. You can reach me by emailing rep.tara.mack@house.mn, or by calling (651) 296-5506.
Have a great weekend,
Tara
News Items
- April 6 Legislative Update - (Posted: 2012-04-06 00:00:00)
- March 30 Legislative Update - (Posted: 2012-03-30 00:00:00)
- March 23 Legislative Update - (Posted: 2012-03-23 00:00:00)
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