Neighbors, Last week, emergency medical service (EMS) specialists attended their day at the Capitol to advocate for more funding in every corner of the state. I thanked many for their lifesaving work. The tragic events in Burnsville again remind us of the important role they play in our communities. Town Hall on March 7Please join area legislators for a Maplewood Town Hall on Thursday, March 7. We want to hear from you about your priorities this legislative session. We hope to see you next week. I will also be asking for your input over the next month in a legislative survey. Stay tuned!  Tax Change Bill Passed, Signed into LawThe House recently passed, and Governor Walz signed, our first bill of 2024, with a nearly unanimous vote of 128-2. The bill is a technical corrections tax bill that will help ensure as many Minnesotans as possible will fully experience the benefits of the 2023 Tax bill. I was proud to vote for this bill and all the other tax policies that have been enacted by the DFL trifecta.  Human Service CommitteeA bill I am authoring will require the Commissioner of Human Services to develop a county - administered rural medical assistance (CARMA) model as an alternative to county participation in the prepaid medical assistance program. The measure should help Medicaid run more efficiently because it is run by the counties. Our public health care system can be very complicated, and this is a step toward improving efficiency, and potentially better outcomes. The bill requires the commissioner to report recommendations and an implementation plan for the CARMA model to the legislature by January 15, 2025. Stay in touchIt is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol. Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call (651) 296-5363 or email any time at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn.gov. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page. Sincerely, Peter Fischer |