Bill addresses rising health care costs & childcare access, reins in state government excess
ST. PAUL, MN—The Minnesota House passed the Health and Human Services, State Government Finance, and Public Safety Supplemental Budget bill (HF 3467) Friday by a vote of 72-57. The legislation supplements the two-year budget passed in 2015 which included $11.9 billion for Health and Human Services, $1.03 billion for State Government, and $2.1 billion for Public Safety.
The budget bill aims to reduce health care costs for Minnesota families, expand access to childcare for Minnesota parents and children, improve quality of life for Minnesota's aging adults, and reduce unnecessary taxpayer expenses for state government.
The Health and Human Services portion of the bill:
- Transitions Minnesota to the federal exchange, and makes several key reforms to rein in MNsure, Minnesota's Obamacare health insurance exchange.
- Invests in programs that address mental health and chemical dependency.
- Captures waste, fraud, and abuse savings for public programs, and directs that money to long-term and community-based caregivers.
- Repeals child care unionization authority & includes reforms from the Select Committee on Affordable Child Care which take the first steps toward seriously addressing access to quality, affordable childcare
- Extends the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection.
"Minnesotans have been thrown onto a $300 million broken website for their health care. The MNsure nightmare needs to be over. MNsure is hurting people and it just keeps getting worse. House Republicans are leading the way forward by repealing this unnecessary and harmful experiment, putting our state back where we belong—leading," said Representative Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.
The State Government Finance portion of the bill prioritizes Minnesota veterans by providing funds to make security improvements to National Guard facilities and includes multiple grants for programs that help Minnesota veterans. It also reins in excessive state government spending, implementing a ban on all non-essential in and out-of-state travel, and implements a 5 percent pay cut for top government officials, many of which received lavish increases approved by Governor Dayton in 2015.
"We want to do right by the hardworking taxpayers of our state and have a government that is accountable to and reflects the priorities of the public it serves," said Representative Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, Chair of the State Government Finance Committee. "That's why we crafted this common sense legislation which reduces the size and scope of Minnesota state government, saves taxpayer money, cuts payouts for political appointees and politicians, and implements meaningful reforms to improve government transparency and oversight."
The Public Safety part of the bill increases penalties for driving without a license, and for failing to stop while school buses are stopped with their flashers on and stop signs out. It also directs the Corrections Commissioner to negotiate an agreement to purchase or lease to own the Appleton Prison which will address overcrowding in Minnesota's prisons and ensure that inmates receive services they otherwise would not receive if they are forced to remain in county jails.
“This proposal provides a common sense solution to our overcrowded prison problem,” said State Representative Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, Chair the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee. “It also prioritizes student safety and increases penalties against those who repeatedly choose to drive dangerously.”
The Senate passed a single omnibus bill covering all budget areas Thursday evening. A conference committee is expected to resolve differences between the House and Senate proposals.
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