Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol and around our community.
State of the State
On Wednesday, Governor Dayton delivered his final State of the State Address. Conclusion: Our state is doing great. We have a strong economy, in large part due to recent policies the Legislature and governor passed last session to reduce taxes, invest in our schools, fund critical road and bridge improvements and focus on the shared priorities of our citizens and families. Indeed, the Governor shared that one of his top priories will be tax fairness for all Minnesota families-could not agree more.
Still, there are areas where we can improve, from MNLARS to MNsure. We also are still seeking to ensure families can secure adequate health care coverage at truly affordable rates, and will be working to find the best changes in our tax code that will at least in part conform our state taxes to the federal changes.
This year, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Mark Dayton on commonsense policies that bolster our economy and help make our great state even better. I am hopeful we can focus on the things where we are agreed and continue to make Minnesota a great state to live and raise a family.
Bringing Down Health Care Costs
This week, a bill House Republicans are advancing to reduce the MNsure tax moved forward.
Last year, we passed a number of reforms that helped bring stability to our individual market and for many families, helped lower the cost of their premiums. We are continuing that work this year, looking to build off those successes. The proposal, led by Rep. Greg Davids, would reduce the MNsure tax from 3.5 percent to 2 percent.
This tax reduction is estimated to save Minnesotans $30 million and is another step we’re taking to address our state’s MNsure mess.
House File 1719
Testifying in Committee on House File 1719 with Melinda Hugdahl from Legal Aid. I am incredibly grateful to her and Legal Aid, who support of this legislation and worked extensively with me to craft this legislation.
This week, the Civil Law Committee heard my bill to bring some needed changes to our family law statutes-which are incredibly complex (like our property tax statutes, if you will recall my update on the bill I had from last week that would bring some simplification to our property tax system).
This bipartisan bill addresses an issue that was brought to me last year by a constituent of mine. Because of a conflict under existing statutes regarding when someone may bring an action to challenge an existing recognition of paternity (ROP), this constituent had an incredibly challenging time finding a lawyer to help him with a custody issue he was facing.
Happily, I was able to work alongside an expert in the field of family law, Melinda Hughdal from Legal Aid (shown in the photo above), along with nonpartisan staff and others, to come up with a bill that I think addresses the core of the problem (though through the process I have come to believe we need a complete overhaul of our family laws). The bill says that if you find you are not the biological father of a child you had thought you were the biological father of – and you need clear and convincing evidence, i.e. a genetic test to show this – you can bring a suit forward to challenge the ROP you had signed within three years of having reason to believe you are not the biological father.
The bill makes a few other changes as well. Currently there are not a lot of factors the Court must consider in cases that challenge paternity. The bill establishes some and states clearly that the petitioner must show by clear and convincing evidence, after considering these factors, declaring the nonexistence of the father-child relationship is in the child’s best interests. Indeed, this needs to always be the prevailing interest in my view, but who and how to decide that is ultimately subjective. This bill provides a few things to consider (i.e. age of child, relationship of child to presumed father, etc.).
My own family has suffered from divorce, and I know the pain involved in family law/child custody cases. Hence, I think it vital to do what we can to make improvements to this area of law.
House File 3287
Testifying in committee on House File 3287
This week House File 3287 received a hearing in the Health and Human Services Reform Committee.
The bill, which I talked about in my update last week, will ensure that Minnesotans working in hotels, motels and resorts are trained to recognize potential victims of sex trafficking.
As mentioned last week, I started to become more aware of this issue several months ago when I was invited to speak at an event surrounding sex trafficking. From there, it seemed this issue kept presenting itself, to the point that I could not ignore it. I have had plenty of opportunity to learn from numerous advocacy and stakeholder groups about the extent of the problem here in Minnesota, along with ideas for how we can combat it.
Also as mentioned last week, I had learned about a new law in Connecticut that requires hotels to train their staff to recognize signs of sex trafficking, which is in part what this bill is based off of. Overall, it seemed after many conversations with colleagues and other stakeholders that this was actionable, and I want to acknowledge this bill is truly the result of a team effort.
Indeed, I firmly believe that no one person or individual group –law enforcement, hospitality, government, or advocacy group- can fight this alone. But I believe we all, including policymakers, have our part to play, and I think a unique opportunity to act this session in response to the activities that have surrounded the Super Bowl, is drawing attention to this issue.
I was incredibly blessed by the incredible support I received for this bill. Shown from left to right: Cory and Pam Biladeau, Innkeepers, Owners and Operators of Corban Manor Inn; Lori Paul, Communications and Development Specialist at Breaking Free; me; Cynthia (CeCe) Terlouw, Executive Director, Terebinth Refuge (standing in back); Jessica Bartholomew, Founder and Lead Training Facilitator at A.C.T. United, Carver County (in blue); Beth Holger-Ambrose, Executive Director for The Link; and Erik Fadden, Proactive Policing Sergeant, Special Investigations Unit, Plymouth Police Dept.
I think this is a commonsense provision that will help hotel employees better recognize signs of trafficking, and it could potentially save the lives of many victims. I am pleased the bill continues to move forward and is receiving bipartisan support from my House colleagues.
Around the Community
Ramsey Parks and Recreation
There are plenty of fun activities in Ramsey this month! Check out the Ramsey Parks and Recreation event calendar here for more information.
Anoka County Home Landscaping & Garden Fair
As we slowly but surely head into spring, why not check out the Anoka County Home Landscaping & Garden Fair? This annual event includes classes led by talented master gardeners, exhibitors and more. It takes place on Saturday, April 7 from 8:20 AM to 3:30 PM at Bunker Hills Activities Center in Ham Lake. You can learn more including how to register here.
Annual Ramsey EDA Business Expo
Mark your calendars for the 10th annual Ramsey EDA Business Expo on Saturday, March 31 from 10 AM-2 PM at the Fountains of Ramsey. Get all of the details on this great event that features local businesses here.
2018 Bike Helmet Clinics
Safe Kids Anoka County is offering bike helmet fitting clinics this spring including one at Blaine City Hall on April 14 from 9 AM-Noon, and one on April 24 at the Anoka Police Department from 4 PM-7PM. Check out all of the details here.
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Please know my office is available should you need assistance on a matter of state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn. I also welcome your input and ideas on legislation and matters moving through the Minnesota House. I am here to serve you and it is a joy! Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Abigail