Legislative Update - March 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,
 
Finally, the weather is starting to warm up and spring is upon us. With warmer temperatures comes the risk for flooding, and flood insurance can be worth exploring. More information is available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the National Flood Insurance Program.
 
Town Hall Meeting
 
I hope you will join Rep. Liz Olson, Sen. Erik Simonson and me for a Town Hall Meeting on April 6 as we listen to your input about issues important to you. We will meet at NorShor Theatre (211 E Superior St, Duluth) from 2-4 p.m. After that, you’re invited to a Happy Hour reception down the block at Zeitgeist Arts Café (222 E Superior St, Duluth). There will be appetizers and a cash bar.

Health Care Accountability
 
Minnesotans expect that money they’ve paid toward health care will go toward just that purpose: providing health care, not enriching insurance company executives and shareholders. Unfortunately, in 2017 the Republican-led legislature ended Minnesota’s 40-year ban on for-profit health insurers operating in Minnesota. This policy was repealed without any oversight measures being put in place. Shortly after this, a Minnesota non-profit HMO, Medica, shifted $90 million to a for-profit arm, meaning public assets could make their way to insurance executives’ pockets. This is unacceptable.
 
Today, the House Commerce Committee held a public hearing on my bill, HF 533, requiring any transition of a non-profit HMO to a for-profit enterprise to be reviewed and approved by the Minnesota Attorney General. It also prohibits a non-profit HMO from using earnings for any purpose other than providing comprehensive health care, and extends a moratorium on HMO conversions to 2029. These accountability measures will help ensure that money for health care is spent on people, not going toward corporate profits
 
Services for People with Disabilities
 
All Minnesotans deserve to live fulfilling lives with dignity. As chair of the House Long Term Care Division, I’m working to ensure that people with disabilities can get the care they count on. Yesterday was Disability Services Day at the Capitol and people with disabilities, their families, and support providers came to the Capitol in very significant numbers. I had the opportunity to address the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda advocating for stronger services.

One of the biggest challenges in ensuring Minnesotans with disabilities receive the care they deserve is maintaining fair wages for care workers. Home and community-based service providers are having difficulty attracting and retaining dedicated, qualified employees. We can’t expect those taking care of the most vulnerable to get by on poverty wages. This session, I’m chief author of a bill, HF 168, which updates the system of reimbursements for providers, and ensures that additional investments go directly toward those Minnesotans providing the services.
 
Medical Exchange District
 
Here in Duluth, we have a rare opportunity to move ahead with the largest economic redevelopment opportunity in the city’s history. Through the Medical Exchange District, we can leverage substantial private investments not just in health care, but in housing, job creation, and other infrastructure to revitalize the East Hillside neighborhood. HF 1216 takes advantage of Essentia Health’s investment of $800 million toward a new hospital, $200 million in infrastructure investments from St. Luke’s Hospital, and $20 million from the city of Duluth to complement up to $164 million in state investments through 2055 to complete this transformation. No state money would be available until $75 million of private investments have been fully committed.
 
The bill received its first public hearing recently in the House Government Operations Committee, where the district’s advisory board was discussed, and Mayor Larson joined me to present the bill. I’m committed to working with all of the partners involved in the community to make this vision a reality

Street Sales Tax

Another key piece of legislation for the city of Duluth this session is approval for the sales tax to fund street improvements. Despite overwhelming support from members of the community – three to one, in fact – at the ballot box, for such a sales tax to take effect the State Legislature and Governor need to sign off. HF 183 is the bill containing this legislative approval, and it was recently considered by the House Property and Local Tax Division. Duluthians were loud and clear that they value their infrastructure, and want to see our streets maintained at a level residents and businesses deserve. I’ll keep working to get this measure over the finish line.
 
Please continue to contact me with any feedback, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jen Schultz
State Representative