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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rena Moran (DFL)

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Legislative Update: Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Dear neighbors,

As we begin to wind down the second month of the legislative session, our focus remains on balancing Minnesota’s budget in a way that is fair and doesn’t rely on gimmicks.

We’re on track to get the job done on time, but we’ve also enacted legislation that will make a difference in the lives of thousands of Minnesotans, such as giving state employees their first pay raise in three years and expanding Medicaid to cover over 35,000 additional low-income Minnesotans.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE:

Last night the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill that establishes a state-based health insurance exchange. This is an important step towards ensuring affordable care for all Minnesotans.

The insurance exchange expands health care coverage to over 300,000 individuals who previously could not afford or qualify for insurance. Tax credits will be available for qualifying individuals, families, and small businesses to purchase quality coverage. The exchange is estimated to save families an average of roughly $500.

Rising health care costs have squeezed Minnesotans for far too long. I am proud to have the opportunity to help implement the Affordable Care Act’s historic reforms and make sure no one in our state goes broke or without care due to illness or medical expenses.

NEW LEGISLATIVE SURVEY:

I recently released a legislative survey that features questions on our state budget, tax reform proposals, and more.

Click here to take my survey.

I need your input to help me make the best possible decisions on legislation that will impact our community and Minnesota’s future. Knowing how my constituents feel about the “big picture” will help guide my actions and votes throughout the legislative session.

BALANCING OUR STATE BUDGET:

A new economic forecast from the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget reduced our projected budget deficit from $1.1 billion to $627 million over the next two years. We also learned that our state is able to pay back an additional $290 million for the K-12 school shifts, bringing the remaining balance down to just over $800 million.

Last week’s economic forecast means that Minnesota’s economy is moving in the right direction, but there is still more work to be done. If we truly want to move Minnesota forward, we need to end the status quo of cuts, borrowing and gimmicks. Our schools and communities can’t afford any more short-term budget fixes.

I plan to work with my colleagues and Governor Dayton to pass a fair budget that invests in priorities like education, puts people back to work, and protects the well-being of middle class, working class, and low-income Minnesotans.

UPDATE ON LEGISLATION:

While I realize the state budget continues to be this year’s front and center issue, I have introduced bills that will have a big impact on Minnesota’s economy and future.

  • HF 107 increases the amount of absent days for a child receiving child care assistance for which a child care provider may be reimbursed from 10 days in a fiscal year to 25 days. This bill was approved by the Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy and will be heard next in the Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
  • HF310, which creates a Cultural and Ethnic Community Leadership Council tasked with reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, passed the Health and Human Services Policy Committee and awaits a hearing in the Government Operations Committee.
  • HF 538 secures $500,000 in funding for the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) program, which provides matching savings to help low-wage earners purchase homes, pursue high education, or launch a small business.
  • HF 739 modifies children and family services policy provisions for the Department of Human Services (DHS). Specifically, the bill amends contractual agreements with tribes, child care assistance programs, the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), community action agencies, and reporting maltreatment.
  • HF 951, also known as the “Child Care Affordability Act,” makes several changes to child care assistance programs such as increasing funding and making programs more affordable for Minnesota families.
  • HF 1141 is a bipartisan piece of legislation that would provide early educational services for homeless children.
  • HF 1142 would establish and implement a pilot project in up to three counties to determine effective strategies to improve early child development for low-income families.

COMMUNITY CHATS:

Because of a death in my family, I will be out of town on Friday, March 8th and Monday, March 11th. My weekly Community Chats will begin on Friday, March 15th at 8:00 am at Golden Thyme Café, located at 921 Selby Ave. If you have anything you would like to share, learn more about, or to just have a cup of coffee with me, show up and I'll be delighted to chat!

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE MN (PCAMN) PARENT RECOGNITION:

PCAMN’s National Parent Leadership Ceremony on February 27 at the Capitol celebrated the great contributions parents make to our communities to strengthen families. I’d like to congratulate my constituent Tonya Draughn who received an award from Prevent Child Abuse MN.

Tonya Draughn is a very humble and caring individual. She has been the president of a grassroots organization (LIFT) for five years through good times and challenges, while at the same time raising seven children and helping with two grandchildren. Tonya uses her caring spirit and passion to empower, engage and uplift low-income families. She is an Alum of the Public Policy Project where she gained skills, experience and training to organize community events that educate and empower low-income families around their rights and issues that affect their everyday livelihood.

Tonya is a great parent leader at home and in her community.

WANTING TO HEAR FROM YOU:

As the legislative session continues, please send me your ideas and feedback for how our state can create jobs, balance the budget, and build stronger communities by filling out my survey. You can also reach me by phone at (651) 296-5158, by email rep.rena.moran@house.mn, by postal mail at 413 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 and of course in person at Golden Thyme.

Together we are stronger!

Sincerely,

Rena Moran
State Representative, District 65A