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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - January 27, 2017

Friday, January 27, 2017

Dear Neighbor,

We’re now in the fourth week of the legislative session and things are really starting to pick up. Here’s a brief update on what’s been going on so far:

Premium Relief

An agreement has been reached on the premium relief legislation. Conferees from the House and Senate reached a compromise on the bill Wednesday after several days of work. As you know, 120,000 Minnesotans who buy their health insurance on the individual market are facing premium increases of up to 60%. DFLers were able to stop a provision that allowed insurance companies to sell policies that wouldn’t cover cancer treatment, emergency services, Lyme’s disease and nearly 100 other conditions or services.

This isn’t the perfect solution, but does provide relief for those incurring large premiums and stops some of the most egregious parts of the original bill. Help will soon be on its way to Minnesotans affected.

State of the State/Budget

Monday night, Governor Dayton delivered his seventh State of the State to a joint legislative session of the House and Senate. Although his speech was cut short, he did outline a broad vision for improving the lives of all Minnesotans; much was related to education and sustainable budgeting for long term solutions.

Tuesday, the governor released his budget, where he expanded on State of the State themes – focusing on investing in all levels of education. He proposed voluntary pre-kindergarten for Minnesota’s children, a 2% increase in education funding this year and the next, and to plan to hold down college debt so we keep our graduates among the best in the nation in workforce readiness.

He also proposed a public option to increase competition and drive down health insurance costs. He called for everyone to join together in the shared goal of cleaning up our precious lakes and streams. Finally, he also asked that the legislature work with him to finally come to a long-term solution to the $6 billion funding shortfall we have in our transportation budget over the next 10 years.

Governor Dayton’s vision is one of continued positive growth and an effective government delivering the solutions Minnesotan deserve. I continue to wish him good health and look forward to working with him so everyone in our community has the opportunity to get ahead. You can read his full remarks here and his full budget release here.

Real ID

The Real ID bill is ready to be heard on the House floor. Minnesotan’s want certainty that they will be able to board airplanes when Real ID is fully implemented in 2018. Minnesotans can buy an enhanced driver’s license, but normal licenses aren’t Real ID compliant. I’m committed to making sure you’re able to board airplanes come 2018 with just your driver’s license.

You can read more about the bill moving through the House in the nonpartisan Session Daily.

Standing Up to the Trump Agenda of Hate

I like to pride myself on working across party lines, but President Trump’s recent executive order on refugees, immigration and sanctuary cities is beyond reprehensible. Earlier this week I jointed with local activists and my fellow legislators to say we won’t accept that type of thing in Minnesota.

Minnesotans have a proud history of accepting refugees and welcoming them to our state. We also know that new people to our state are what keep us innovating and growing as a people. I will continue to stand up for you as we voice our shared values of inclusion and love for those who need our help. The color of a person’s skin, religion, gender or sexual identity should never be used against them. I just don’t get Donald Trump and how oblivious he can be to the racist place of privilege he’s coming from.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any issues or concern you may have.

Sincerely,

Sheldon