Dear Neighbors,
Deadline week has been busy but productive with lots of constituent meetings and committee work. We have a number of issues still left unresolved and about a month and a half left until the end of the 2018 legislative session. It is sure to be a very, very busy final 6 weeks. Here is a brief recap on what I’ve been working on in committee this week.
In the Health and Human Services Finance Committee (HHS) we have been working on issues to bolster Minnesota's workforce and lift Minnesotans out of poverty by implementing work or job training requirements for able-bodied adults currently on Medical Assistance, Minnesota's version of Medicaid. The requirements would not apply to a child's sole caregiver, or anyone with a disability, certain medical diagnoses, addictions, or other barriers to employment.
Additionally in HHS we heard legislation that would close a loophole that allows those with over $1,000,000 dollars in assets to access some taxpayer funded benefits.
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee has been busy as well. We’ve heard bills like my Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) bill that appropriates $46 million in lottery revenue dollars towards projects ranging from trail development and land enhancement to restoration of wetlands.
We also held an informational hearing discussing the dangers of carbon monoxide in fish houses. Every year Minnesota sportsmen tragically lose lives to this little known threat.
Finally, last week, we received news that the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) had proposed an Administrative Penalty Order that would fine farmers out of compliance with Minnesota's riparian buffer law by up to $500 per linear foot.
Clearly such a dramatic fine is completely unreasonable and just another unnecessary attack on farmers by the Dayton Administration.
Fortunately, and thanks to public outcry from the farming community and lawmakers here in St. Paul, Governor Dayton and BWSR backed off the proposed fine by Thursday. This is an example of government overreach being overturned by an engaged and focused public.
For all of you that took time to reach out, thank you. Your voices were heard loud and clear!
Thank you to those of you that took time to visit St. Paul this week! It was great to meet with you and discuss issues that are important to you and our area.
That’s all for this week, as always, I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments regarding state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or via email at rep.josh.heintzeman@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Josh