Friends,
With session now wrapping up its second week, I wanted to send out a quick email update with the latest news from St. Paul.
State Budget Forecast
On Wednesday, Minnesota Management & Budget announced a $329 million state budget surplus. This is an over half-billion dollar improvement from the $188 million budget deficit projected by the agency in November. This figure demonstrates that our state’s economy has been strengthened by recent tax cuts at the state and federal level. With unemployment at its lowest rate in over 17 years, and job creation equal to that of other states, we’ve seen Minnesota’s economy continue to thrive in recent months. Given this surplus, I look forward to advocating for legislation that will provide further relief to Minnesota’s taxpayers as well as make targeted investments in needed areas. In the months ahead, I am excited to work with my colleagues in the legislature as we seek to build on last session’s progress as well as begin to address federal tax conformity.
House File 2945
My bill, House File 2945, was adopted this week by the Health and Human Services Reform Committee. This important legislation would reduce the amount of time it takes for intensive residential treatment services (IRTS) to be licensed. Intensive residential treatment services are for individuals requiring 24-hour assistance from staff because of significant difficulty with daily activities due to a serious mental illness. This bill has worked its way through the committee process in the House and can be taken up on the House floor in the coming weeks. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as it continues its way through the legislative process.
MNLARS Update
There were two important bills introduced by House Republicans this week regarding the broken MNLARS system. The first bill would require Governor Dayton to find the $10 million (that his administration has requested to continue fixing MNLARS) in existing state agency funding, rather than force Minnesota’s taxpayers to foot the bill once again. The other bill would direct the Commissioner of Public Safety to examine using a private sector company to overhaul MNLARS, instead of again turning to the same government agency that has repeatedly failed to provide meaningful solutions to these ongoing problems.
Minnesota’s taxpayers have been experiencing complications with its services for months, and they want and deserve a working DMV system. Our goal is to hold this administration accountable for its shortcomings, and make certain the agency provides evidence of a roadmap for real solutions before we provide additional funding.
Opioid Day
Yesterday, the legislature hosted the Second Annual Opioid Awareness Day. The purpose of yesterday’s events was to further raise awareness of the dire need for action in order to more effectively combat our state’s opioid crisis. More can be done in the legislature to address this growing problem, and I will be working with my colleagues as reforms are pursued this session.
Pharmacy Legislative Day
It was great meeting with a group of pharmacy students and pharmacists during their day at the Capitol to learn more about ways in which they can better provide care for patients.
Contact Me
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-5387 or rep.roz.peterson@house.mn.
Sincerely,
