Hello Neighbors,
Here is what’s happening at the Capitol:
Upcoming Town Hall: Tomorrow
As a reminder, I’ll be co-hosting a Town Hall meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum and State Senator Susan Kent tomorrow, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Woodbury City Hall (8301 Valley Creek Rd).
Health Insurance Exchange
The House passed a bill this week to form a state-run health insurance exchange. The plan so far is to begin enrolling consumers in October. Assistants will help citizens navigate the online options to purchase insurance. I have been outspoken about my opposition of the Affordable Care Act from the beginning, and I did not vote for the bill.
This exchange will require millions of dollars to operate and includes a 3.5% tax (that you will pay) that is supposed to offset some of the cost. Furthermore, it limits choice in care and has questionable data privacy policies. Some states have flat out refused to create an exchange, but our Governor has been moving forward with a state-run plan since last session.
New Budget Numbers
Last week we received our fourth consecutive positive economic forecast from Minnesota Management & Budget. Minnesota’s projected budget deficit for 2014-2015 is now $627 million, a small fraction of the original estimate of $4.4 billion two years ago. We saw the impact Republican fiscal policies from 2011 have had on Minnesota’s economy and our overall budget situation. Just two years ago, Republican majorities in St. Paul took on the difficult task of balancing the state’s massive budget deficit without raising taxes and killing jobs. Minnesota is once again on the right path thanks to sound management of the state’s finances and a commitment to keeping taxes in check.
Alternative Gun Bill
I am supporting a bill with more than 70 Republican and Democrat lawmakers that fights crime while protecting the Second Amendment. The bill focuses on keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, punishes those who illegally sell firearms to ineligible people, improves reporting of court-determined mental health disqualifications, and provides the state and federal criminal background check systems with complete information on individuals that are ineligible from possessing firearms and the duration of the ineligibility.
Rare Disease Awareness Day
Last Thursday, many at the Capitol wore “Jeans for Genes” to increase awareness for rare diseases. I was happy to be joined by my daughter on the House floor.
Reps. Woodard and Hamilton joined us for Rare Disease Awareness Day
Legislative Survey
My annual legislative survey can now be found online through my official web page. Many of you will receive a copy in the mail in the next week, but please be sure to take the survey online if you don’t complete it through the mail. I look forward to hearing from you!
As always, it is an honor to serve you,
Andrea
651-296-1147 or rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn