Dear Neighbors,
They are all subjects of my email update!
- (Blaze) Pink is the New (Blaze) Orange
- Lowering Health Care Costs
- Come Bargain Shopping in Rogers!
Pink is the New Orange
Legislation to allow Minnesotans to wear blaze pink in addition to blaze orange when hunting deer and other small game is currently moving its way through the legislature. The bill has strong bipartisan support and would require the Department of Natural Resources to amend certain rules to allow for the additional color.
Similar legislation recently passed in the state of Wisconsin, and studies have cited that the color pink is less visible to deer than orange—a definite advantage for hunters.
The bill has passed out of both the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy and Government Operations and Election Policy committees, and is now headed to the House floor.
Lowering Health Care Costs
On Wednesday, the House Tax Committee heard House File 2380, legislation to reduce the tax MNsure collects on policies sold through the exchange. If passed, it could potentially save Minnesota families and small businesses at least $15 million over the next two years.
When MNsure was being created, supporters assured the public and lawmakers that the health care exchange would operate off a premium tax much lower than the federal exchange—yet another broken promise from MNsure.
As MNsure continues to struggle, (the most recent example being a failure to mail out thousands of federally required 1095-A tax forms by February 1) something must be done to rein it in and fix these problems.
House File 2380 will cut the MNsure tax rate in half from 3.5 percent to 1.75 percent starting in 2017, followed by implementing a number of basic operational benchmarks that must be met by MNsure. If they do not meet their performance requirements, the tax will decrease to 1.5 percent in 2018 and any future year where MNsure misses the benchmarks.
Consumers should be MNsure's priority, not growing an incompetent government bureaucracy, and this bill will encourage them to cut taxpayer waste and refocus on efficiently serving the people of Minnesota.
Come Bargain Shopping in Rogers!
The Rogers-Hassan Senior Group is hosting an Indoor Flea Market, Craft and Bake Sale Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rogers Community Center located at 21201 Memorial Drive in Rogers. Come shop for great bargains and great food!
On Thursday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Word of Peace Lutheran Church will be holding its annual "Peace Market" church rummage sale. Come shop for clothes, toys, furniture, housewares, tools, sports equipment, hardware and more. Word of Peace is located at 21705 129th Ave. N. in Rogers. There is a $2 entry fee from 9 a.m. to noon and free admission after that. This sale draws shoppers from across the metro area.
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As always, if you have any questions or concerns on an issue relating to state government, my office is available to help. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A