Dear Neighbor,
We just received the February Forecast from the Office of Management and Budget and got good news – our deficit for the next biennium is lower than expected. Instead of a $1.1 billion deficit, it now has been lowered to $627 million – an improvement of $463 million improvement! I firmly believe this is the product of the Republican-led legislature’s policies of government reform and not raising taxes over the previous two years.
I also wanted to be sure to let you know that the House is taking up the Health Insurance Exchange bill on Monday on the House floor. Imagine a Met Council-like board of seven unelected officials empowered to make decisions about what health insurance plans you’re allowed to purchase and able to inflict a 3.5% gross premium tax on plans within the exchange. THAT is what we’re debating on Monday. As a member of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee for most of the time I have served in the legislature, I understand how important it is for people to have quality healthcare coverage. Minnesota has been a leader in delivering quality healthcare at competitive costs while offering state-subsidized healthcare coverage to low-income individuals in a cost-effective manner. This proposed Health Insurance Exchange has no guarantee of keeping rates low, maintaining good quality of care, or expanding access. Imposing higher prices and restricting options will only do damage to our healthcare system in Minnesota. Be sure to tune into the debate on Monday evening on the House floor. I’m sure it will go on for many hours. I encourage you to share this message with your friends and to contact DFL legislators with your thoughts and concerns about this legislation. You can find a list of all members of the House here.
Many of you have expressed concerns to me about Governor Dayton’s tax plan. The House Taxes Committee will be having another hearing on the bill tomorrow (Friday, March 1) at 2:00 p.m. in State Office Building room 10. Unfortunately, they are only taking testimony from individuals who had signed up to testify for Wednesday’s hearing but were unable to testify due to committee hearing time constraints. However, you are still welcome to attend the hearing and even drop by legislators’ offices to let them know your thoughts on Governor Dayton’s tax plan.
On Monday March 7, Minnesota for Marriage will be holding a rally on the Capitol steps in support of keeping marriage defined as one man and one woman from 2:30 to 3:00. If this is an issue that is important for you, I encourage you to attend.
CONSTITUENT EVENTS
Once a month, I’m going to be available for one-on-one listening sessions with constituents in the district. The first one will be tomorrow, March 1, at Gorman’s Restaurant (11011 Stillwater Boulevard N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please call my office at 651-296-9471 to set up an appointment in advance. Senator Karin Housley is scheduled to be at this first listening session as well.
On Saturday, March 16, I am again hosting a "Day at the Capitol” event. This is an opportunity to come to the State Office Building and the Capitol and have a chance to sit in a committee room, ask questions, have a light lunch, and an official tour of the Capitol. Please contact my office to RSVP if you would like to attend (so I am sure to have enough sandwiches and sodas, as well as how many tour guides we will need). The event will begin at 11:00 a.m.
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Kathy