Dear Neighbors,
Last week, Governor Dayton release his supplemental budget proposal. His proposal calls for an additional $581 million in spending.
Included in the governor’s proposal is a gas tax increase—the same gas tax that he declared “dead” last year.
Other items in his budget proposal include:
- $500,000 to study the benefits of a single-payer health care system
- $25 million for voluntary pre-K
- $100 million for economic disparities—$33.48 million of which is not committed until more input from affected communities is considered
While the governor is focused on increasing spending in numerous areas of government - which we fully funded last year - the House caucus is focusing on passing a comprehensive Tax and Transportation bill that prioritize ways to put money back in the pockets of Minnesota families.
Bathroom Privacy Bill
I am a co-author on a bill that seeks to protect the privacy of individuals by requiring that men and women use the bathroom facilities of their biological sex. Unfortunately, this very common-sense bill is needed to protect young women and girls throughout our state due to certain local policies that allow a boy who identifies as a girl to enter a girls bathroom and locker facilities. In one instance, a boy entered a girl's changing room while several young women were in various stages of undress and simply began changing.
We need to do something to protect our kids. Unfortunately, Governor Dayton opposes this bill claiming that it is a political maneuver. Nothing could be further from the truth. All these students, those struggling with gender and those that may be affected by change in bathroom/locker room policies, need our love, compassion and help. Again, this bill is a response to a very real issue—to provide privacy and protection to young girls. It also provides needed accommodations for those struggling with their gender. For more, click here.
If you have time, I urge you to share your concerns—in love and compassion—with your friends, family, and Governor Dayton. You can contact him here.
HF 3150 Hearing in HHS reform
This week I presented a bill that would require abortion clinics and facilities to report abortions performed via tele-medicine, commonly known as "webcam" abortions.
The bill is a very simple change to our reporting laws, which were passed in 1998 - long before thoughts of tele-medicine.
While this bill will help us gain a better understanding of the pros and cons of tele-medicine, I also believe it is important as the risks of complications from webcam abortions, which use the RU-486 drug, are higher than other abortion procedures. I emphasized in the committee that our priority is the health and safety of the mother.
Appleton Prison
This week Rep. Tim Miller presented a bill to reopen the Appleton Prison, in part as a response to dangerous over-crowding in our prison system.
Many people attended the hearing in support of the bill. Conversely, many turned out to protest against the bill. Sadly, a lot of anger was present, manifested in a lot of curse words—in fact, the committee had to recess for a time due to protestors. I want to extend a big thank you to Chair Cornish and the committee members who stood strong with Rep. Miller.
Unfortunately, Governor Dayton promised to veto the bill. For additional information on the hearing, visit here.
OLA Reports
The Office of the Legislative Auditor, a non-partisan and highly respected office, released another report this week on State Compliance with Federal Financial Requirements, which include "findings related to internal control weaknesses and noncompliance with federal program requirements":
MNsure was chosen as one of the federal programs, and the office found:
- MNsure incorrectly used federal money to pay approximately $98,000 for software maintenance fees not allowable under the grant.
- MNsure did not maintain complete and accurate inventory records of equipment purchased. This is a repeat finding.
- MNsure did not have adequate controls to ensure its employees or direct supervisors certified the accuracy of employee payroll time reporting. This is a repeat finding.
There is an unfortunate theme of mismanagement within the report, which is available on the auditor’s website at www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/. Other previously released reports also indicate rampant mismanagement—which leads to misuse of government money and waste. I will continue working with my colleagues to address these issues.
Visiting with Students
It was fun to chat with some home school students this week about the process of running for office and the process for getting bills passed! As always if you are visiting the capitol please be sure to stop by my office - it is a great reprieve in the midst of some daunting issues.
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Staying in Touch
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, comments, or concerns on anything related to state government. It would be an honor to discuss your ideas on how we can make Minnesota better for everyone. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn.
You can also stay up-to-date on everything that is happening in St. Paul by visiting my Facebook page and Twitter account.
Have a blessed Easter!
Abigail