Greetings,
As we have flipped our calendars to the month of May, the finish line to the 2024 legislative session is in sight. Although there are only 17 calendar days remaining, only 9 of those days can be used by the House or Senate to pass legislation.
For those of you who have contacted me regarding troublesome legislation, this means time could be running out on those proposals. As usual, we will have to see what happens. Stay tuned.
PENSION BILL RECEIVES OVERWHELMING HOUSE SUPPORT
Legislation that will change current statute and improve Minnesota’s pension system was unanimously approved by the Minnesota House this week. As many of you know, I serve on the pension commission and played a key role in the construction of this bill. The new language will shore up and will ensure the strength of our state pensions. The bill now heads to the Minnesota Senate for its approval.
ANTI-2ND AMENDMENT LEGISLATION APPROVED BY HOUSE MAJORITY
Three bills that target Minnesota’s law-abiding gun owners were approved by the House majority this week. The first proposal would force a person who had their gun stolen to report the firearm was missing within 48 hours, meaning the victim of this crime could theoretically be charged themselves. Another bill includes an expanded definition of trigger activators, which may impact some commonly used guns, and the final initiative places additional firearm storage burdens on law-abiding firearm owners. I voted ‘no’ on all three of these bills.
PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION WILL SOON RECEIVE HOUSE FLOOR DEBATE
Next week, commerce legislation will arrive on the House floor that would start the ball rolling towards establishing a public option. This would allow the State of Minnesota to offer health insurance to certain residents and create direct competition between the State and the private insurance market. The public option is troubling to me as it will destabilize the private health insurance market.
PALACE FOR POLITICIANS MOVING FORWARD
The legislative majority single-handedly approved legislation that spends $730 million on a new office building for House lawmakers and their staff – a palace for politicians. The first payment - $11 million - on this extravagant and unnecessary plan was due May 1, and House Republicans attempted to pause that project this week on the House floor. Not surprisingly, the majority party opposed the idea.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.gov. or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Have a good weekend,
Tim