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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 16, 2017

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

The legislative session is now more than half over. The first committee deadline passed last Friday and we’ll be busy in committee as the final two deadlines approach the next two Fridays. Then we’ll shift to longer floor sessions to pass our two year state budget.

Committee Deadlines

Last week we wrapped up the first committee deadline, and we’re already into our second deadline week. Deadlines are very important to the legislative process, but deadline weeks can look like a flurry of legislative activity to those outside the Capitol. To help folks better understand the process, our great nonpartisan House Public Information department put together a video explaining the process. You can watch here:

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Reinsurance

Earlier this year I voted to provide premium relief in the form a 25% premium reduction for Minnesotans who purchase insurance in the individual market but who don’t qualify for federal tax subsidies. That proposal was put in place to offer a quick response to rising insurance costs. 

On Monday, the Minnesota House voted for a reinsurance program which I supported. HF 5 creates a program to subsidize insurance companies against large claims. The program would be funded by the Health Care Access Fund, which currently funds MinnesotaCare. While the plan isn’t perfect, I supported it. Our work on reinsurance will continue because the Senate and the House versions of the bill are quite different, therefore we will be heading to conference committee. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to find a solutions that bring the health back into health care for Minnesotans.

Fun Facts: Highway Finance

Have you ever wanted to know about transportation funding? The nonpartisan House Research Department puts out great explanations of topics the legislature covers. In this updated I want to share one on Highway Finance. It’s truly an interesting topic with the different, and sometimes constitutionally dedicated, funding sources we have for transportation. Who knows, if you commit this to memory perhaps you can use the details to thrill your guests at your next dinner party.

Redistricting Panel

Last Saturday I participated in a bipartisan discussion on redistricting. The event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Rochester Public Libraries and others. You can read a release I sent to the press on that here.

Constituent Visits

It’s always a pleasure to have constituents visiting me at the Capitol. Over the past two weeks I’ve had constituents lobby me on a lot of issues. Below is a group from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Jont Religious Legislative Coalition, and Darci Barker who was advocating on behalf of those who serve persons with disabilities.

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Let me know what you think!

Please feel free to weigh in on by answering my 2017 Legislative Survey.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions.

 

Sincerely,

Duane

 

P.S.: Please don’t hesitate to forward this email to your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my e-updates.