Friends,
It was another productive week at the Capitol and I am fighting hard for our priorities. Here is this week's update from the Capitol.
Health Care Developments
Since the
passage of SF1, the bipartisan premium relief bill, there has been a number of developments that you should know about.
- There will be a one week enrollment extension. The special enrollment period will take place from February 1-8.
- Medica will accept new enrollments. On Tuesday, it was announced that Medica ended up below their enrollment cap and will be able to accept new enrollees through February 8th. Medica policies are only available through MNsure this year.
- APTC vs. 25% Rebate: SF 1 excludes people who receive federal advanced premium tax credits (APTC) from also receiving the 25% state premium rebate. If a person receives no APTC, they will automatically receive the 25% state rebate.
Some people between 300-400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for an APTC, but either receive very little or nothing because of Obamacare's APTC calculation. This means an individual making $36,180-$48,240 may receive a substantially better benefit with the state rebate.
If you have already enrolled in a plan and receives an APTC that provides less benefit than what you would receive from the 25% rebate, you may cancel that policy and re-enroll without an APTC in order to benefit from the state rebate. This must be done by February 8.
Every child to read by 3rd grade
This week I introduced a bill to help ensure that every student is able to read by third grade. If a third grade student is not able to read at a third-grade level, the school will provide a personal learning plan for the student. The individualized plan will be developed and updated with input from the classroom teacher and parents of the student. The plan will be address the knowledge gaps and skill deficiencies for that individual student.
In short, this bill makes it so that we are making sure that children are able to read at appropriate levels by 3rd Grade. If they are not reading at appropriate levels, it makes sure that schools are taking action to bring that child up to speed. There is no “one size fits all” solution required or demanded by this bill. Instead it instructs teachers to work with the student and their parents to design a program that will address the struggles of that individual student.
The bill will also requires that students who do not meet standards as measured by the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments administered in high school are informed that admission to public school is free to any resident under the age of 21.
My bill has been referred to the Education Innovation Policy Committee and I am excited to present it in committee. I will keep you up to date as this bill makes its way through the process.
Free Tax Preparation Sites now Open
The Minnesota Department of Revenue
announced that more than 200 sites across the state are offering free tax assistance during tax season this year. There are two programs that are offering these services the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the AARP Tax-Aide program. Both programs have volunteers who are certified by the IRS to prepare basic tax returns in Minnesota.
The AARP Tax-Aide sites offer free tax preparation for all over the age of 50 without any income restrictions. The VITA program is available for those over the age of 60, for those with a disability, for those who speak limited or no English, or if your annual income is less than $54,000.
You can find the site nearest you
here or call
651-297-3724. The list of items that you will need to bring when visiting a free tax prep site is available
here.
Enjoying Wednesday night bingo at McHugh's in Savage in support
of the Burnsville Lions Club. Come say hi if you're at the next one!
As always, 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 office at (651) 296-9463, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Drew