Dear Friends,
It's been a busy week in Saint Paul as we approach the first committee deadline next Friday, March 20. I had several of my bills heard in committee this week, and several others have already met the first deadline, meaning they're on track to continue through the normal legislative process.
My bill to improve access and affordability of health care, House File 5, was passed out of the Health and Human Services Reform and the Commerce Committee this week. My bill would aim to expand access to tax credits for health insurance plans purchased outside of MNsure, and make MNsure more accountable by getting rid of certain exemptions they receive under current law that other state agencies must follow. In addition, HF5 would require that MNsure premium rates be released 30 days in advance of open enrollment, giving families more time to find a plan that fits within their budget.
Last week the Health and Human Services Reform Committee discussed multiple pieces of pro-life legislation aimed at improving safety conditions at abortion facilities, and protecting the unborn. HF1047, chief authored by my colleague Rep. Abigail Whelan, is known as the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, which would require assistance and protection for babies born who have survived abortion procedures. We also heard bills that limit taxpayer funded abortions and increase safety requirements for facilities that provide abortions.
Regardless of how you feel about the issue of abortion, we should be making every effort possible to make sure facilities are as safe as possible for Minnesota women, and to provide protection and care for our most vulnerable children who have survived abortion procedures and are born alive.
House File 2
Last week, the House voted on and passed House File 2, which aims to end the practice known as "Last In, First Out," or LIFO. LIFO requires that the last teacher hired by a school district is the first teacher fired, regardless of performance. HF2 requires school districts to consider teacher effectiveness when making layoff decisions, and addresses Minnesota's teacher shortage by streamlining the process for out-of-state teachers coming to Minnesota, as well as alternate pathways for teacher licensure.
This is a good bill that if passed would improve student learning and empower schools to keep their most effective teachers. I will be sure to keep you updated on its progress as session continues.
Stay in Touch
As always, please feel free to email me at rep.tara.mack@house.mn or call my office at 651-296-5506. You can also follow my updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TaraKMack or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reptaramack. Your input and feedback is valuable to me and helps me better represent our district.
Have a great weekend,
Tara Mack
State Representative, District 57A