Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My 2016 Legislative Survey is still available to take online, giving me another opportunity to gather feedback from constituents about important issues being debated at the Capitol. Your opinions are valuable and guide me toward supporting legislation that best serves our community.
If you haven't done so yet, just go to this link to take my survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Fenton2016
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Also, don't forget to share my survey with your friends and family in District 53B!
REAL ID
On Tuesday, the House passed legislation to jumpstart the process for federal conformity to REAL ID. I know many people in Woodbury are concerned about if their state-issued driver's license will be a valid form of identification to board an airplane, and I want to reassure everyone that you will be able to continue to travel without undue difficulties.
The legislation passed on Tuesday partially repeals the 2009 statute barring the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) from even talking with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about implementing REAL ID. DPS will now prepare a full report to the legislature within 14 days that will detail the costs and steps needed to implement REAL ID in Minnesota. Once that report is issued, the legislature will act and pass REAL ID legislation before we adjourn in May.
Additionally, the bill also directs the DPS Commissioner to request temporary relief for Minnesotans needing a REAL ID to enter military bases and federal buildings, as well as for air travel until the year 2020.
The ultimate goal is to have our state issuing REAL ID-compliant Minnesota drivers' licenses by October of this year. That way, people will be able to renew their license on their normal renewal cycle without additional costs or hassle.
I will keep you updated on REAL ID after DPS issues their report in mid-April. I look forward to resolving this important issue this session.
Saving Taxpayers Money and Reining in MNsure
Earlier this week in the House Taxes Committee, legislators passed a Republican-led bill to hold MNsure accountable and save Minnesotans at least $15 million over the next two years on their health insurance premiums.
The bill would reduce the premium withhold tax for insurance plans sold through MNsure from the maximum they are allowed to collect of 3.5 percent to 1.75 percent starting in 2017. Besides cutting that tax in half, the legislation would also require MNsure to meet certain operational benchmarks. If they continue to fall below expectations and do not meet those goals, that tax is then reduced to 1.5 percent in 2018 and any additional year thereafter where MNsure misses the benchmarks.
While the Senate is hearing bills that would expand the premium tax to all health plans sold off the MNsure exchange, House Republicans are trying to rein in this bloated bureaucracy and make sure it is working for Minnesotans.
Education Savings Account
This week, the Education Finance Committee heard a number of my bills including my Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation that puts parents in the driver's seat of their child's education.
This pilot project legislation would allow parents of special needs students to use the student's allocated funding provided by the state and put that into an ESA, allowing them to spend those dollars on education for their child including tuition, education-related therapies, textbooks and tutoring. Whether the child has Down syndrome, Autism or another learning challenge, the ESA program, which has been implemented in other states, will help increase opportunities for children with special needs and help them thrive academically.
Our public schools in Minnesota are filled with dedicated educators committed to helping our children learn and grow. However, when schools do not have the resources to meet the needs of children with specific special needs or learning challenges, an ESA will expand the options for families and help remove some financial constraints.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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