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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Ben Lien (DFL)

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Legislative Update - January 13, 2017

Friday, January 13, 2017

Greetings from the Floor,

The health insurance relief bills are working through House and Senate committees and will likely come to the House floor next week (the Senate passed an insurance relief/reform bill yesterday).  The final policy to deliver health insurance relief for people who receive coverage through the individual market, but don’t receive tax credits through MNSure, must come as soon as possible.  People need to know what is going to happen with the individual health insurance market place before the January 31st deadline to enroll in coverage.  I support pieces of the reforms being discussed, such as continuity of care, but these reform discussions should not slow getting relief, and market place certainty, out to people.

Committee hearings started this week with overviews from non-partisan house research staff, state agencies and institutions that work with the state (such as the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute).  These overviews are a good way for legislators to get updates on different programs and introductions to issue areas.  They’re also good for legislators to meet people who work on different issues and become acquainted with available resources of information. 

I had 5 bill introductions this week.  My bills pertain to capital investment requests for the Moorhead rail road underpass at 20/21 St, funding for a resource recovery facility in Clay County, a local option sales tax approved by Clay County residents for a new law enforcement center and agricultural property tax relief.  I look forward to also authoring workforce development bills as the session progresses.

Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,

Ben