Friends,
We received some great news Friday. The Department of Commerce released the individual policy rates available through the state’s new health insurance exchange, MNsure, and they are the lowest rates in the country.
The department conducted a lengthy and thorough review of all of the new policies offered by companies for the exchange. Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman then approved the rates for 141 plans in total – 78 of which will be available to individuals, 63 for small business owners.
This review process resulted in premiums for Minnesotans 4 to 37 percent lower than had originally been filed – providing border-to-border options for consumers across all levels of coverage.
Thousands of Minnesota are going to benefit from MNsure. Coverage of preexisting conditions will no longer be a consideration for families. And remember, if you like your insurance, you keep your insurance. The goal of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 was to provide health insurance and quality health care to the millions of Americans who had no access to either.
Across the state, Minnesotans can choose from two to five insurance companies offering plans in bronze, silver, gold, and platinum categories. Residents in 85 percent of counties will have three or more companies to choose from.
For instance, a 25-year-old non-smoker who lives in the Metro can sign up for a Bronze plan at the cost of just $90.95 a month.
Minnesota was once a national leader in how we took care of our sick. I am excited to report that we’re ready to return to that role again.
School’s in
It’s that time of the year again. Summer is almost over, and the kids are headed back to school.
I hope you all enjoyed your summer. It was great meeting many of you at parades and social gatherings.
As my kids got on the bus for school this week, it reminded me of the great work done at the legislature during our “Education Session.”
We once again made building the world’s best workforce a top priority. We set lofty goals – close the achievement gap, raise graduation rates, improve student’s college readiness and make it affordable.
That’s why we're fully funding all-day Kindergarten for every child. Last year, just 54 percent of Minnesota’s Kindergarten students had access to free all-day Kindergarten; thousands of families had to pay out of pocket to provide their children this important learning tool. That won’t be a concern any longer.
We are providing an additional $40 million for an expansion of Early Childhood Learning scholarships. This will allow 10,000 new kids to benefit from the program.
After a decade of cuts, we increased funding for every school in Minnesota. The budget invests an additional $234 million in the school funding formula, providing schools with an increase in funding in each of the next two years
That means South Washington schools will receive an additional $2 million in the 2013-14 school year and $8 million in 2014-15. South St. Paul schools will receive an additional $441,898 in ’13-14 and $1.7 million in ’14-15.
If you are enrolled in or have a family member enrolled in at the University of Minnesota and a Minnesota State College or University school, tuition is frozen for the next two years.
Thanks to the work we accomplished this past year, I think we can be confident that our children are getting a better education.
Special session on tap
The storms that hit Minnesota hard caused great hardship for thousands of Minnesotans. Some of our neighbors, friends and family are still dealing with the aftermath. That’s why the legislature is meeting in special session Monday, Sept. 9, to pass legislation providing much-needed disaster relief for 18 Minnesota counties.
Those storms resulted in the largest power outage in state history. We need a special session to provide the state and local match for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance, which will pay for 75 percent of costs to repair roads, bridges, buildings, and other public infrastructure damaged by severe storms earlier this summer.
This is a time for Minnesotans to come together. When our neighbors need help, we put aside differences and come together. I am always proud of our state during these times, and it reminds me why we are the best state in the country.
State Fair poll
The nonpartisan House Public Information Services Office conducted its annual poll at the Minnesota House of Representatives State Fair booth. More than 7,000 fairgoers took the poll. It’s always interesting to see what is on the minds of those that visit the MN House booth; these results provide some insight.
More than 65 percent of those responding supported raising the minimum wage to $8.50 for employees for small employers and $9.50 for employees for large employers. The House passed a bill with those increases, but the Senate’s version was different, and there wasn’t enough time at the end of the session to reconcile the two bills.
Other poll results from the fair show that more than 82 percent supported background checks for purchases of guns from a private seller at gun shows, nearly 75 percent supported medicinal marijuana, 53 percent supported a 5 cent increase in the gas tax to paid for road and bridge repairs, and 76 percent supported requiring students to pass tests in reading, math and writing before they can receive a high school diploma.
For more results, control-click on http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/leginfo/13poll_results.pdf.
Finding a late-in-life job
On Tuesday, September 3, the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Senior LinkAge Line One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors will roll out START MN. The new initiative assists older Minnesotans struggling to find work by providing helpful information and access to local employment resources.
Minnesotans interested in getting information can visit MinnesotaHelp.info or call 1-800-333-2433 for more information.
Senior LinkAge Line began operation in the late 1990s by helping Minnesota seniors with Medicare questions. During the past decade, it has developed into a service that answers questions and provides guidance to seniors on a wide range of topics including tax forms, Medicare applications, and even fishing licenses.
All my best,
Dan