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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dan Fabian (R)

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Capitol Update from Rep. Dan Fabian

Friday, January 27, 2017

 

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been another busy week in Saint Paul. Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.

Premium Relief Signed Into Law

On Thursday, the House and Senate both repassed The 2017 Health Care Emergency Aid and Access bill which has been signed into law by Governor Dayton. This legislation allocates $312 million which will provide a 25 percent premium reduction to thousands of Minnesotans who have seen their premiums jump by 50 percent or more again this year.

Additionally, as a member of the conference committee that negotiated the final bill language, I was able to help ensure an amendment I authored remained in the bill. Network adequacy reform creates an avenue for more providers to be in-network in Greater Minnesota, giving more options to rural residents. For folks in Northwest Minnesota, their hometown hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are too often out-of-network because of waivers granted by the Minnesota Department of Health to insurers in the individual market. This will give providers and patients an additional resource to fight for accessibility in our area, providing an appeal process for waivers for local systems like Roseau LifeCare and the Altru Health System.

Other key reforms in the bill include allowing for-profit HMOs to operate in Minnesota which will increase competition; ending surprise billing to protect consumers; simplifying the path for Agriculture Co-ops to help farmers and their families get better access to affordable coverage; and funding continuity of care coverage for up to 120 days for folks with certain medical conditions losing access to their doctor.

I am pleased that we were able to keep our promise to Minnesotans and get premium relief and health care reform passed in the first month of the session, along with federal tax conformity. I think these bills are a sign of good things to come this year, as we continue to craft policies that serve the people, families, small businesses, farmers and hardworking taxpayers of our state.

404 Permitting

This week in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, we heard an overview of working group findings related to a 404 permit program feasibility study. The group was formed after legislation I authored last biennium was signed into law, and had the Department of Natural Resources and Board of Water and Soil Resources look at the feasibility of the state assuming the 404 permitting process from the federal government.  

404 permits are needed for construction projects that involve water and wetlands. Local units of government are often frustrated with the high cost and time it takes to receive a 404 permit from the federal Army Corps of Engineers, and many projects also require state permitting on top of that. The thought is that by the state assuming 404 permitting from the federal government, we avoid a near duplicate approval from the U.S. government, streamline the permitting process, and save taxpayers money.

I expect the new Trump administration in Washington will also work to make the permitting process more efficient and effective over the next four years as well, which would be good news for Minnesota.

It was also great to have Lon Aune, the Marshall County Highway Engineer, be part of this working group and come down to Saint Paul this week.

Governor’s Budget

This week, Governor Dayton released his budget proposal for the next two years which includes an almost ten percent spending increase over last biennium. In addition to a substantial spending increase, I am disappointed to share that he is also resurrecting some plans from last session including a gas tax increase that would affect family budgets from Roseau to Rochester.

In all, his plan includes $1.6 billion in higher taxes and fees, and just $125 million in tax relief. With a $1.4 billion surplus and a vetoed bipartisan tax package last session, we can and should be passing a more robust and comprehensive tax bill for the people of Minnesota this session.

House Republicans will be crafting our budget bills later this session after the February forecast is released. I expect our plan to invest in our shared priorities, limit government growth, include reforms to make government more efficient and effective, and provide substantial tax relief for hardworking taxpayers, families, farmers and small businesses.

Follow me on Facebook!

To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at your State Capitol, feel free to “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RepDanFabian.

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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!

Dan

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A