Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’re having a great week. I would like to share a few legislative items of importance with you.
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM RELIEF
Senate File 1 is headed to the House Floor for a vote tomorrow afternoon. This bill is nearly identical to the House bill with a few exceptions. One specific difference is the complex, tiered subsidy relief system, in which different income levels receive different percentages of rebate relief starting in April, and then continuing on a monthly basis through the end of the year. Specified income levels receive the 25% rebate in January, however, due to this complicated rebate model, the departments and agencies responsible for implementation have indicated it would not be possible to initiate immediate relief.
A recent Star Tribune editorial provides compelling arguments and testimonials from those impacted by premium hikes in favor of Governor Dayton’s 25 percent rebate plan to provide relief now. It’s time for us a Legislature to work together to pass this legislation to help Minnesotans get the relief they need.
TAX BILL PASSES – TAX FILING HELP ON THE WAY
A significant tax bill passed in House unanimously last Thursday. The Tax Conformity bill matches Minnesota’s income tax laws with new breaks passed by the federal government and will benefit 178,000 Minnesotans. Passing tax conformity early will enable tax forms and computer programs to be up to date when you file your 2016 taxes and help Minnesotans to maximize their refunds. Governor Dayton signed the bill into law last Friday.
SUPERBOWL 2018 LEGISLATION
I recently introduced a bill that would allow bars in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to stay open until 4 a.m. during the 2018 Super Bowl, which will be hosted in Minneapolis. This is similar to what was permitted during the Republican National Convention of 2008. To learn more about the legislation, you can read the Minnesota Public Radio story here.
STAY INFORMED
If interested, for gavel-to-gavel video coverage of the Minnesota House, here a list of resources you can follow to stay updated on House committee and House Floor coverage:
Broadcast television schedule:
www.house.mn/htv/htv.asp
Broadcast television channels:
www.house.mn/htv/channel.pdf
Webcast/mobile streaming schedule:
www.house.mn/htv/schedule.asp
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/MNHouseInfo
UPCOMING TOWN HALL MEETING
Senator Bobby Joe Champion is holding a special town hall meeting on Education, Health and Human Services and Finance with Senators Wiger and Lourey at the end of the month. Below are the details:
DATE: Tuesday, January 31
TIME: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55412
Please feel free to contact anytime. I appreciate hearing from you.
Have a great rest of the week!
Sincerely,
Raymond Dehn
State Representative