Meeting with high school students who are tracking my HF 501 and HF 543 this session
Meeting with constituents representing MAPE
I signed the pledge for MakeItOk.org to stop mental illness stigma
Meeting with psychologists for Mental Health Day on the Hill
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Here is an update from the Capitol.
Woodbury Central Park Bill
This week in the Property Tax Committee, my bill House File 1057 was heard. This legislation is important for our community and will help save Woodbury property taxpayers money.
Under current law, Woodbury and other cities are able to levy a tax of up to three percent on lodging. My legislation will ultimately save taxpayers money by dedicating two-thirds of that tax collected by the city to fund renovations and improvements to Central Park, an important centrally-located gathering space in our community. Without this legislation, local property taxpayers would ultimately be forced to foot the bill for these improvements.
I think this legislation is a win for our community and for the hardworking taxpayers of Woodbury, and I am pleased it is advancing this session.
Dislocated Worker Bill
Last year, political DFL staffers who lost their job after campaigns ended designated themselves as a “mass layoff” to take advantage of the Dislocated Worker Program through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This program should be used when long-time workers at a company, manufacturing plant or store get laid-off, for example. Political campaign staff, on the other hand, know that their job is temporary and should not be eligible for these benefits.
To ensure that something like this does not happen again, I am carrying HF 1394 this session which received a hearing in the Jobs Committee on Wednesday. The bill modifies the Dislocated Workers Program to exclude employees of political entities including campaigns, parties and organizations required to file with the federal elections commission.
I did a news story with WCCO back in December talking about this issue. A follow up story about my bill in the Jobs Committee also aired on WCCO this week, and you can see that here.
Reinsurance Bill
On Monday, the House passed bipartisan legislation that is projected to reduce premium costs by 17-18 percent, according to Minnesota Management and Budget. House File 5 establishes a state-based reinsurance program that is designed to help stabilize our failing individual market by mitigating the impact of high-risk Minnesotans and those who are most sick. Following the passage of premium reductions earlier this year, this bill is the next step to address our state’s health care crisis.
Woodbury families and small business owners who purchase coverage on the individual market are struggling to afford out-of-control premiums that continue to rise every year. Prior to the Affordable Care Act, we were a national leader in providing health insurance safety nets. Today, our state’s individual market is a third as large and twice as sick as before Obamacare. That is unsustainable.
This legislation is a step in the right direction that is predicted to both lower premiums, as well as ensure that the sickest Minnesotans continue to have access to the coverage they need.
Empowering Local Schools and Teachers
On Thursday, the House passed House File 1478 which repeals the LIFO (last in, first out) requirement when school districts have to make difficult layoff decisions. Currently, LIFO is the default under state law meaning that teachers who were hired most recently, regardless of merit, performance or other factors, are the first to be laid off.
This bill simply repeals that default and empowers local school districts and educators to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement that better serves teachers, students and schools. It’s also important to note that this does not discourage seniority from consideration, but opens up negotiations to include other criteria.
What’s more, this legislation is important as many schools across the state are looking to hire the next generation of teachers, including more teachers from diverse backgrounds.
As a former educator, parent and representative to our community, I want to ensure Minnesota kids have access to a world-class education and that we can keep the best teachers in our classroom.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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