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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 3, 2017

Friday, March 3, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

February has been busy with legislative activity, and I continue to encourage you to visit and take a tour of the newly renovated Capitol building in St. Paul to see some of the amazing work to preserve and restore this symbol of our democracy. In February I welcomed members of the Swedish Painters Union to see some of the beautiful work that has been done on the inside of the Capitol while they were visiting St. Paul to share knowledge with our Minnesota painters and see our job training programs in action. You can see us pictured below:

House Image

House Image

SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES

Yesterday the Minnesota House voted for the final time (88-39) to approve Sunday Alcohol Sales for the first time in state history. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk. Based on the strong opposition I heard from our local independent liquor store owners, and some municipal governments that depend on this revenue stream, I voted no on the bill. However, I know many Minnesotans will be looking forward to this law change, and I can appreciate that enthusiasm.

MINNESOTA CARE BUY-IN

Even though the legislature passed temporary premium relief in January, we need long term solutions to challenges facing our individual health insurance market. Twenty-five years ago, MinnesotaCare was created by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and signed into law by a Republican governor. The program has allowed 100,000 Minnesotans to purchase high-quality, lower-cost health care coverage from a broad network of care providers and physicians all across the state. This proposal, supported by Governor Dayton, would permit those who purchase their insurance on the individual insurance market the opportunity to ‘buy-into’ MinnesotaCare. Participants in the program would pay their own way. This could be one avenue to provide affordable health care options to thousands of Minnesotans. For more information on the proposal, click here.

IMPORTANT LOCAL BILLS

During February several pieces of legislation I’ve authored have been moving through the committee process. Here are just a few of the bills I’ve authored this session :

HF 497 – Cromwell Wright Area Fire District: I am working on a bill that would create a special tax district to maintain high quality fire response service to Cromwell, Wright and surrounding communities. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in the Property Tax Division’s final report.

HF 495 – Big Lake Area Sanitary District public infrastructure bonds: I was joined by Chris Rousseau and John Herdegen yesterday [video here] to present this bill to the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee. The bill would authorize $2.2 million in bonds to help fix some of the environmental issues around Big Lake near Cloquet, and trigger approximately $15 million in additional investment. The bill will be considered for inclusion in a final bill.

HF 493 – Highway 73 realignment bonds: Because Republicans have been unable to pass comprehensive transportation finance legislation while they have been in the majority, I am continuing to work on individual projects for our region, like improving Highway 73.

HF 293 – Scuba gear and spear gun use to take fish: I’ve been approached by fishermen who would like the state of Minnesota to explore the possibility of spearing fish with a spear gun while using scuba gear, similar to bow hunting or handheld spearing as we can do now. The bill is still awaiting a hearing.

HF 938 – Carlton County recreation tax reauthorization: This bill would be a positive step for the Four Seasons Sports Complex. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in a larger bill.

BUDGET FORECAST

Earlier this week, the February Budget Forecast was announced, and it showed a surplus of $1.65 billion. In addition to the surplus number, the forecast indicated that our state economy is still doing well, with low employment and a stable budget. Thanks to the balanced and responsible budgets passed under the leadership of DFL legislators and Gov. Dayton in 2013, we are still in good fiscal shape.

But while our economy is doing well overall, we should always look at ways to improve it and deliver more opportunities to Minnesotans. We must renew our commitment to strong public schools, affordable college and job training, and access to good jobs and healthcare. We need to pass a robust bonding bill with infrastructure priorities, including some of the priorities I’ve mentioned above.

While my Republican colleagues are already calling for massive tax giveaways to the richest Minnesotans and their corporate special interest friends, I agree with the Governor in taking a measured, cautious approach before we do something that would throw our state budget back into the cycle of deficits we experienced eight years ago and before. There are many federal uncertainties ahead, and it would be irresponsible to put our stable fiscal situation at risk.

PREEMPTION DEBATE

Last night the House considered HF 600, a bill to preempt local governments from setting pro-worker policies such as sick leave, family leave, or a higher minimum wage. Republicans are claiming this was to maintain “uniformity.” It passed the House, and if the bill becomes law it will take away earned sick and safe time benefits from 150,000 Minnesota workers. Instead of taking away hard-earned benefits, I would encourage Republican legislators to entertain a debate about whether or not it’s time to expand earned sick and safe time throughout the state.

This is a divisive, anti-worker bill which has popped up in legislatures all over the United States, pushed by corporate business interests. Rolling back benefits and stopping workers from getting ahead by paying out of their own paycheck is the opposite of what we stand for.

Other Visitors to the Capitol:

House Image

In February, I welcomed visitors from RAM Insurance in Esko.

STAY IN TOUCH

I always encourage you to contact me with questions or concerns on legislative issues at Rep.Mike.Sundin@house.mn or 651-296-4308 or toll free at 800-788-1329.

For gavel-to-gavel video coverage of the House, here is a list of sources you can follow to stay updated on House committee and floor coverage:

Broadcast television schedule:

www.house.mn/htv/htv.asp

Broadcast television channels:

www.house.mn/htv/channel.pdf

Webcast/mobile streaming schedule:

www.house.mn/htv/schedule.asp

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/MNHouseInfo

Sincerely,

Mike Sundin

State Representative – District 11A