Neighbors,
Session is off to a great start and we are hard at work to deliver results for all Minnesotans. Below is my weekly update from St. Paul.
Progress on Tax Conformity & Health Care Premium Relief
There was good news this week as the Senate passed the Tax Conformity bill that the House passed last week. On Friday, Governor Dayton signed it. By quickly passing this bill, Minnesotans will see $21.7 million in tax relief and avoid the hassle that comes with non-conformity.
While Democrats delayed quick action on the 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill, the bill is now quickly making its way through committees and will hopefully be on the floor next week. The bill would give $285 million in premium relief to those who need it and $15 million for continuity of care for those who have seen their insurance policies canceled while undergoing critical, lifesaving treatment.
I am committed to providing this critical relief to Minnesotans.
REAL ID is back in the news; making quick progress through the House.
As you may remember, REAL ID was enacted as a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to increase safety on air travel and federal facilities, including military bases. Deadlines are quickly approaching to make our driver’s licenses REAL ID compliant and Minnesota is one of a few states who have not met the requirements.
Without any action, a Minnesota driver’s license would no longer be sufficient ID to board planes and enter federal facilities as soon as January of 2018. House File 3, the REAL ID bill, addresses this by creating a two-track system so that those who would like a REAL ID compliant license can opt-in to the system. Those who do not want a REAL ID compliant license can choose to go through the current system. The two-track system is a compromise that has alleviated concerns from most opposed to REAL ID.
I have signed on as a co-author of HF3 and will be supporting its passage.
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on the bills heard in committee and in session. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling my Legislative Assistant at (651) 296-9463, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Drew