Hello friends!
Just a quick update on what we've accomplished this last week, including some progress on three bills I have been carrying this session.
Last Monday, HF2613 passed the House in a unanimous vote. This bill will help coordinate and standardize ST- segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) systems and improve response time. Seconds count in getting a heart-attack victim care, and this bill should speed up that care. For more information, here is a link to the House Public Information Services's overview of HF2613 and the floor debate: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=10079
Another bill, HF3387, passed the Education Finance Committee, providing more flexibility with existing funding to help schools address the teacher shortage in hard to fill areas. This bill has bi-partisan support, and is being considered for inclusion in the Education Finance Omnibus bill.
Also, Health and Human Services Reform heard a third bill, HF3486, that would help increase transparency in what funding is available at the county level for people with disabilities who are trying to access waiver services. It would allow people to see if there is waiver availability in their county or in neighboring areas. This would ensure that funds aren't sitting unused in some counties, while other counties have run out. HF3486 is currently waiting to go to the House floor for a vote.
In terms of where we sit in the legislative calendar, Friday, April 1st, was the deadline for policy bills, so committees like Health and Human Services Policy and Education Policy have had their final hearings, and are compiling their omnibus bills. I will keep you updated as session progresses, and as these bills move through the legislative process.
Finally, I’d also like to say a big thank you to Tyler Zitzewitz for visiting the Capitol this last Wednesday. Tyler is a student at Lakeville North, a member of Minnesota Youth in Government, and was recently elected to the position of Youth Governor.
(Left to right, Rep. Jon Koznick, Tyler, and myself)
Congratulations to Tyler, and thank you for visiting us at the Capitol!
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at (651)296-5387, or email me at Rep.Roz.Peterson@house.mn; I’d love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Roz