Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Reinsurance Bill
On Monday, the House approved a bipartisan bill that is estimated to reduce premium costs by 17 percent or more according to Minnesota Management Budget. House File 5, also called the Minnesota Premium Security Plan, will set up a state-based reinsurance program that is designed to help stabilize our failing individual market.
Addressing problems with our individual insurance market is critical because after the implementation of Obamacare, that market is just a third the size and twice as sick. That’s unsustainable and hurting folks in our area who are seeing skyrocketing costs, high premiums and fewer choices when purchasing health insurance for themselves and their family.
The reinsurance bill is the next step to remedying our broken individual health insurance market, ensuring the sickest Minnesotans have access to coverage, while also projecting lower premiums by double-digits to provide more affordable coverage for families, small business owners, farmers and folks across our state.
The Senate is moving forward with similar legislation, and I will keep you updated.
Environment Committee Update
Today is the second committee deadline, and the Environment and Natural Resources Committee wrapped up hearing individual bills. Up next is putting together a comprehensive omnibus budget bill that will fund agencies over which we have jurisdiction including the DNR and MPCA.
Additionally, I know many folks have heard about the DNR requests to increase fees on a wide array of things including fishing and hunting licenses. I am opposed to these increases and believe that the DNR can do a better and more transparent job with their current funding levels.
I talked more in depth about the issue on KFGO on Monday, and you can hear the interview here.
Buffer Update
Legislators are working to make changes to Governor Dayton’s controversial buffer law and have advanced a bill that includes a number of commonsense changes supported by landowners and local authorities. First, the legislation would put both the public waters and public ditch deadline further out to November 1, 2018. It would also provide funds to help pay for implementation, and it strengthens local control by removing much authority from the state.
The governor held a press conference this week stating changes to his buffer law are “not acceptable and not negotiable.” Sadly, he also stated that “Sticking your head in the sand or in the river bank is not a responsible way to deal with the reality of the situation.”
I am very disappointed that the governor fails to recognize the real reality of his buffer law. I can’t believe he is so disconnected with rural Minnesota. He needs to realize that there are very serious issues in this law that must been addressed—and soon. I believe that it is going to take you, and all Minnesotans affected by his buffer law to contact him and the commissioners of Agriculture, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Department of Natural Resources directly to voice your concerns.
Roseau Girls’ Basketball
I wanted to give a quick shout out to the Roseau Girls’ Basketball team who is playing in the State Class AA Semi-Finals tonight. Good luck team and go Rams! Your community is rooting for you!
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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
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