Greetings!
I hope your New Year is off to a good start. I’ll again be sending a weekly update during the Session summarizing some items of the week and issues I’m working on. There’s never space to cover the long lists of bills and issues but I’ll try to pick out a few highlights and give you an insider’s view on what’s happening. Your feedback helps me stay in touch with your concerns.
Tax bill passes to help with filing your taxes
We passed the first bill unanimously – it will comply Minnesota’s income tax laws with new breaks and benefits passed by the federal government and will benefit 178,000 Minnesotans.
Passing it early will enable the forms and computer programs to be up to date when you do your 2016 taxes.
Many will have their 2015 tax burden reduced and the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue will be able to make adjustments on its own in most circumstances and send you the additional refund. In some cases, they will have to seek additional information. All will be contacted by letter so if you see a letter from Revenue – it may be to announce a surprise refund, not let you know of an audit issue.
Good news on Northern Metal and your input needed
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is in settlement talks with Northern Metals after its repeated violations of pollution and permit regulations.
The discussion focuses on moving it off the river and potentially some financial penalties that could be used to address the health issues and other concerns in the area. Many of us have spent many hours in hearings before the Pollution Control Board regarding the problems with this business. It would be a relief to see them gone and to have both sides of the river benefited in ways that improve our overall health. Public input sessions on this are scheduled for:
North Minneapolis: Wed. Jan 11, 6:30-8:30pm @ Farview Park 621 N 29th Ave., Mpls
Northeast Minneapolis: Wed. Jan 18, 6:30-8 pm @ Eastside Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. N.E, Mpls 55413
Health insurance issues will dominate the Session
The health insurance rates for most Minnesotans were relatively stable this past year (but we still need to address the high and rising costs of medical care – more on that later). But for those 125,000 buying insurance on their own without an employer plan, the rates jumped dramatically – as much as 60%.
Since October, I’ve been in meetings with the Governor’s office, representatives of his agencies, and bipartisan groups of other health care-focused legislators working to develop short and long-term solutions.
I support the Governor’s proposal to have the state pick up 25% of the cost of individually purchased coverage for those not eligible for federal premium subsidies. It would bring their rate increases to the national average. This was proposed for a special session in December but the Republicans wouldn’t agree. I’m a co-author of the bill to implement it.
On Wednesday, we heard from bipartisan national health care experts that Minnesota is unique. Our individual market problems are the result of starting with the lowest premium costs in the nation. The insurer that offered those was trying to “buy” the market but found the losses too great and dropped out, and the other insurers are still trying to adjust to the back-and-forth in enrollment levels and health needs. They felt we will hit an equilibrium soon but should offer premium relief in the meantime and focus on reducing health costs.
The Republicans asked us on Thursday to suspend the rules and immediately pass a bill with a modified premium relief package and a long list of insurance reforms for the long term; some of these included letting for-profit health insurers do business in MN, changes to small business underwriting, and more. Suspending the rules would have meant no public hearings, no input from the public and those impacted, and no hearing from experts on the likely results.
I asked if the author had any analysis of the impacts on health insurance rates and the overall health insurance market to share. When he didn’t have any, I spoke against suspending the rules and said we need to review and refine these proposals in committee. That prevailed and we will soon be having hearings on this.
Health coverage is too important to not do reforms thoughtfully but we should get relief out to those who need it now.
Still uninsured? You can still get coverage
The federal premium assistance that most area residents qualify for has risen from an average of $200 a month to about $600 due to the rate increases.
If you’re uninsured, I’d suggest going to MNsure.org and see what your options are. Open enrollment for private insurance ends January 31. After that, you can always see if you qualify for MinnesotaCare (our affordable program for modest income workers), Medical Assistance, or private insurance if you’ve had a major life event (lost your job and coverage, marriage, birth or adoption).
All summer and fall I’ve been helping people with obtaining coverage and am delighted at how many have found affordable coverage or a route around a technical problem.
Committee assignments for this term
Much of our work is done in committee and I’m pleased with my assignments.
I’m the DFL-lead on Property Taxes and Local Government Finance which oversees property tax laws that help determine how taxes are split between different types of property and recommends the Local Government Aid and County Program Aid levels that play such an important role in the budgets of our city and county. I also serve on the full Tax Committee.
I continue my work on the Health and Human Services Finance which I helped lead last term. There we oversee the policies and budgets for health care, services for the disabled and those challenged by addiction or mental health challenges, support for the lowest income families and individuals (including child care assistance, housing assistance, etc.), and public health programs that work to keep us and our communities healthy.
New legislative assistant
I moved offices to room 349 and thus have a new legislative assistant, Michael Mollner.
He’s an experienced pro and will help me and two other legislators with our work. Mike will help manage my calendar and is a good point of contact. He can be reached at Michael.Mollner@house.mn or 651-296-4288.
Save the dates and stay in touch
I love representing an engaged and active community.
Senator Dziedzic and I enjoy working together on your behalf and welcome your ideas and concerns. We’re again planning joint listening sessions in several locations in NE and SE and are finalizing times with the park building staffs. Watch for further details on meetings on Saturday January 28th and February 4th. Plan to come see the beautifully renovated Capitol when I again host my annual Capitol Tour on President’s Day February 20. Details to come.
Stay in touch and have a great week. (The January thaw is coming – I can hardly wait!)
Diane