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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 22, 2018

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session started this week. We have a great deal of work ahead of us to finish by our adjournment deadline of May 21. A few topics include addressing the federal tax bill’s potential consequences, considering a public works infrastructure bill, and addressing gun violence, affordable housing, mental health and the opioid crisis.  Here is an update of what I’m working on down at the Capitol.

Making Health Insurance More Affordable

Serving on the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee, coupled with my professional experience as a health care economist, I’ve been fighting to improve access to health care for Minnesotans. With affordable, accessible care under attack from President Trump and congressional Republicans, states like Minnesota continue to face a challenging situation.

Bad news came earlier this week when the Minnesota Department of Health announced that despite a strong economy, the state’s uninsured rate actually rose in 2017. It jumped from 4.3% in 2016, to 6.3% representing a setback in our efforts to ensure everyone has coverage. A barrier toward coverage is high premiums so this session I’ll work to reinstate last year’s 25% premium discount program.

Last year, Republicans in the Legislature also allowed for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota. This came at a time when health care for low and middle-income Minnesotans remains at risk. To help level the playing field, I’ve introduced a bill to levy a fee on for-profit HMOs to ensure they’re also contributing to programs like MinnesotaCare, just like their non-profit counterparts.

Ending Sexual Harassment at the Capitol

This past November, troubling reports started to emerge from elected officials, lobbyists, and candidates of horrifying stories of unwanted advances, assault, and other inappropriate behavior at the hands of legislators. Yesterday, all 134 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives attended mandatory sexual harassment and implicit bias training. This is just the first step in our efforts to change the culture at the Capitol to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

I’ve been appointed to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee and a recently created Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and Respect. This subcommittee will be responsible for gathering recommendations to improve our reporting and accountability procedures for instances of harassment or misconduct.

What do you value?

Since the legislature adjourned last May, my colleagues and I have traveled the state to facilitate conversations with Minnesotans, learning how we can best work to improve their lives. We’ve received some good input, hearing about what makes folks proud to be Minnesotans, while also hearing about the challenges families face.

To share a bit about what you value, and the direction Minnesota should pursue, please take our short survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9655MY5.

Like my new Facebook page

To get more frequent updates from the Capitol, I encourage you to “like” my new official Minnesota House Facebook page. You can find it here:https://www.facebook.com/repjenschultz/

As the session moves ahead, I hope you’ll keep in touch with any comments, questions or ideas. Feel free to call me at the Capitol or email me anytime. Also, if you ever come down to the State Capitol, please come by my office and say hello. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Schultz

State Representative