Dear neighbor,
I hope you’re staying warm during this frigid weather! Inside this edition of the Peppin Report:
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Executive Branch Pay Raise Reform
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MNsure Audit Report
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Tour of Holland Center
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Rogers Listening Session
1) Executive Branch Pay Raise Reform
Last Thursday, the House passed legislation known as the “deficiency bill” that addresses some funding deficiencies for important state services including Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter that provides specialized treatment services for mentally ill and dangerous adults who are seen a risk to public safety as well as for medical preparation and response to the Ebola epidemic.
Included in this legislation were key reforms to executive branch pay raises. Specifically, the bill restores legislative oversight of executive branch pay increases, freezes the salary hikes by the governor, and reduces allocations to state departments by the amount of commissioner salary increase. The bill passed on a bipartisan 106-21 margin.
The floor debate is available for viewing online. My speech begins at about the 55:23 mark.
2) MNsure Audit Report
Last week the non-partisan Legislative Auditor presented his report of his audit on MNsure – Minnesota’ Obamacare exchange. The result was not positive for Minnesotans. The audit concludes that “MNsure’s failures outweighed its achievements.”
The report also stated that MNsure is failing to meet its core goal and is financially unstable. Public enrollments have far outpaced private enrollments. This presents a major challenge because the funding of public enrollments is dependent upon a tax on private enrollments. While we were initially promised that the tax on plans sold through the exchange would be 2% or 2.25%, the MNsure board has already been forced to raise the tax to 3.5%. At the same time, Governor Dayton has asked the legislature for more funding to cover MNsure’s budget shortfall.
Clearly, MNsure is on the wrong trajectory and unfortunately Minnesotans are paying the price for it with higher costs and more hassles as they seek access to quality, affordable healthcare. Republicans have introduced several bills to correct the deficiencies in MNsure.
3) Tour of the Holland Center
On Friday, I had the opportunity to tour the Holland Center in Minnetonka with Representative Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) and Representative Mary Franson (R-Alexandria). The Holland Center provides pediatric habilitation& rehabilitation treatment to children with autism. Their curriculum combines the most effective forms of therapy based on research with environmental interventions that have proven to make a difference in a child’s ability to learn. (hollandcenter.com)
I was thoroughly impressed with the programs and care provided by the Holland Center. The teachers and specialists clearly have a passion for helping children with autism learn and grow.
4) Rogers Listening Session
Thank you to everyone who attended the Rogers Listening Session on Saturday. I appreciated hearing directly from constituents regarding their thoughts, comments, and concerns on issues before the legislature.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me as the legislative session moves forward. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155
Have a wonderful week,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A