Dear Neighbor,
Thank you to the McKinley Area Learning Center delegation (pictured above) that stopped by the Capitol to talk about a variety of issues and to share information about their alternative learning programming. Students say the one-on-one attention they receive is a difference-maker.
The biggest news from the House floor this week is that we passed a bill to repeal the state's ban on researching Real ID in response to the federal government increasing ID standards following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Minnesota's standard IDs/driver's licenses do not comply with the new federal guidelines, an issue that has gained attention of late because the final phase of federal Real ID implementation pertains to boarding domestic commercial flights or entering federal facilities.
The legislation we passed this week allows us to gather data that will help us decide whether Real ID compliance is the answer for our state or if there are other avenues to explore.
Along with lifting the research ban, the bill requires a report to be presented to the Legislature within 14 days of enactment detailing cost, recommended legislative changes, and other implementation steps. Those issues, along with a number of concerns regarding the handling of citizen's private data need to be examined at great length during this process.
The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and was enacted by the governor.
It is good we are having this discussion so we can determine what is right for our state. The law prohibiting implementation of Real ID in our state remains in place pending further legislative action. The Department of Homeland Security indicates enforcement of new standards to fly in our country will take effect no sooner than Jan. 22, 2018.
On another subject, more of MNsure's failings were the subject of committee meetings this week. One of the latest issues to surface is impacting taxpayers as they attempt to file their annual forms. Citizens were supposed to receive their 1095-A tax forms from the state by Feb. 1, but MNsure is behind schedule, leaving people without their insurance documentation. A bill has been authored to MNsure compensate people $10 for each day the form was late after Feb. 1. That rate would increase to $50 per day if the April tax deadline passes and people still haven't received their forms.
Impacted citizens are encouraged to provide their comments regarding this or other MNsure issues by clicking here.
I continue working to bring bills I have authored through the process. This includes legislation related to veterans, along with the Hometown Heroes Act pertaining to benefits provided to the survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty.
Another bill that is advancing in the House is one I authored to add a five-mile leg to the Rocori Trail between Cold Spring and Rockville. This is another step toward filling in the gaps between the Glacial Lakes Trail to the west and other trails to the east.
Stay in touch as these and other issues develop.
Good luck,
Rep. Jeff Howe
527 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-4373
rep.jeff.howe@house.mn