Dear neighbor,
Last week, I introduced House File 830. This bill would grant the Elk River School District their share of the metro area equity funding for those students residing in the seven-county metro area, but attending Elk River schools. While this doesn't solve the funding inequity problem this is a starting point for Elk River students. Elk River students compete with metro students for the same colleges and the same scholarships. Our students deserve the same opportunities as metro students.
There a couple pieces of controversial legislation that I have my eye on at the moment. One of the bills, House File 950, would allow for the unionization of childcare providers. Trying to unionize these small businesses – especially when the profit margin for these providers is relatively low – is wrong and I strongly oppose it. Another controversial piece of legislation, House File 5 (also known as the Health Insurance Exchange proposal) is scheduled to be up for debate on the House floor on Monday. I have grave concerns about the “active purchaser” model of healthcare would limit competition. An official from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce testified before the Health and Human Services Policy Committee that in no other market does limiting supply make costs go down. The bill itself does nothing to guarantee lower costs for consumers or for the state. I expect that debate on the House floor on Monday to be lengthy and you can count on me to weigh on the discussion.
On Thursday, we’re going to get an updated budget forecast from the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget on our budget situation for the next biennium. The big question will be whether the budget deficit – currently projected to be $1.1 billion – will grow, shrink, or stay about the same. I’m hoping it will not get bigger.
I will continue to keep you updated as the legislative session moves forward. Please feel free to contact me on any state issue. I can be reached via email at rep.nick.zerwas@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-4237. Mail can be sent to Rep. Nick Zerwas, 303 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.
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Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Nick