Category: State Issues

Wisconsin plans to drug test Medicaid recipients. Here’s why it’ll be a disaster.

The following article by Amanda Michelle Gomez was posted on the ThinkProgress website March 7, 2018:

WEST BEND, WI – AUGUST 16: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker introduces Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump as he gets ready to speak at a rally on August 16, 2016 in West Bend, Wisconsin. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images)

Over the past several months, Wisconsin lawmakers have waged a war on the state’s Medicaid program by requesting federal permission to add time-limits, work rules, and drug tests. But new data obtained by ThinkProgress suggests these drug tests are especially costly and virtually ineffective at enabling care. And if the Trump administration green-lights Wisconsin’s request, taxpayers will have to pay for it.

Requiring people who depend on government benefits to pee in a cup isn’t without precedent. At least 15 states, including Wisconsin, drug screen or test public assistance applicants. For three straight years, ThinkProgress collected state data on drug screening and learned that it’s expensive and yields few drug positive tests. This isn’t surprising, as a federal analysis on substance use among government assistance enrollees suggests abuse rates are only somewhat higher than general public. (Studies that report substance abuse rates higher than 15 percent define it to include a broader scope of alcohol and any illicit drug use within the past year rather than past month.) Continue reading “Wisconsin plans to drug test Medicaid recipients. Here’s why it’ll be a disaster.”

Senate DFL Week in Review: March 8, 2018

The Minnesota State Capitol is better known as the People’s House for a good reason. Every year, hundreds of organizations and thousands of people visit Cass Gilbert’s architectural masterpiece to get involved in our democracy. This week was no different.

Dozens of groups held Day at the Capitol events, visitors flocked to the rotunda to snap a picture with a live bald eagle, and more than 1,000 high school students marched from Central High in Saint Paul to the Capitol to demand that lawmakers do something to prevent school shootings.

All of these events and gatherings give DFL senators an opportunity to listen to their constituents and participate in a conversation about the direction our state is heading. Stop by the People’s House this session to visit your senator and get involved in your democracy! Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 8, 2018”

Legislative Session is Opportunity to Build an Even Better Minnesota

The following commentary is by Ken Martin, Minnesota DFL Party Chair:

As the final legislative session of Governor Mark Dayton’s administration kicks off at the State Capitol, it is a time for reflection and progress. It is a moment to recognize the many ways our state is better off since Governor Dayton first took office, and an opportunity to ensure every Minnesotan shares in this prosperity.

When Governor Dayton was sworn in, he inherited a struggling state. Former Governor Tim Pawlenty had left Minnesota in economic shambles. Pawlenty raided every single pot of funds possible so that he could say he didn’t raise taxes. He depended on short-term budget band-aids to keep Minnesota above water. He took billions from our schools and depleted local government aid. Unsurprisingly, our state was in a bad place at the end of his term. There was an over $6 billion deficit. Taxes unfairly favored the wealthy. Our schools were under-funded, and over 200,000 Minnesotans were out of work. Continue reading “Legislative Session is Opportunity to Build an Even Better Minnesota”

Analysis: Will the Suburbs Flip the House? Watch These Seats

The following article by Stuart Rothenberg was posted on the Roll Call website February 28, 2018:

If Trump keeps bleeding suburban support, GOP House majority could be at risk

If elections and national surveys over the past year have shown us anything, it is that suburban voters could well be the key to the 2018 midterm House elections.

Turnout among minority voters and younger voters could affect the result in a district here or there, but an increase in suburban turnout or a substantial shift by suburban voters (especially suburban women) from the Republicans to the Democrats could have a much broader impact on the fight for control of the House.

In Virginia’s 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Ralph Northam ran ahead of 2013 Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe by 11 points in Fairfax County and 10 points in Loudoun County, two large suburban areas outside Washington, D.C. He also did 9 points better than McAuliffe in two Richmond-area suburban counties, Henrico and Chesterfield. Continue reading “Analysis: Will the Suburbs Flip the House? Watch These Seats”

Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program

The following article by Don Davis with the Forum News Service was posted on the PioneerPress website March 1, 2018:

Credit: Scott Takush, Pioneer Press

Most greater Minnesota residents have one or two choices for health insurers, which Gov. Mark Dayton said shows a need to expand a state health insurance program to everyone.

The MinnesotaCare insurance program especially could help farmers, who often struggle with finding and affording health care coverage, Dayton said Thursday.

The expansion plan is not new; the DFL governor unsuccessfully pushed it last year, but the Republican-controlled Legislature did not consider it. There is no sign that the GOP has changed position, but Dayton said the Nov. 6 election could influence Republicans to reconsider their votes. Continue reading “Dayton pushes plan for expansion of MinnesotaCare program”

FAQ on the 3M Settlements from Attorney General Lori Swanson

Introduction.

After seven years of intense litigation—involving the production of over 27,000,000 pages of documents, the taking of almost 200 witness depositions, over $10 million dollars in tests, fees and costs, over 100 judicial hearings and conferences, over 1,600 court filings, and a final non-stop negotiating session lasting 22 hours, our 3M lawsuit involving the discharge of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) is finally resolved.   By the end of the case, over 75 lawyers from eight law firms had been involved with various aspects of the matter, which included several appeals to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court and one lawsuit against one of the law firms.  Continue reading “FAQ on the 3M Settlements from Attorney General Lori Swanson”

Senate DFL Week in Review: March 2, 2018

WEEK TWO:  March 2, 2018

The Minnesota Senate kicked off the second week of the 2018 session on a light note – former Olympic hockey player Senator David Tomassoni rose on the Senate Floor Monday to congratulate fellow Chisholm native John Shuster and his USA Curling teammates on winning the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in curling. The entire Senate chamber rose to a standing ovation in response to Sen. Tomassoni’s speech.

On Wednesday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released a new forecast that projects a $329 million budget surplus for the current biennium. Less than 10 years ago, Minnesota faced a $6 billion budget deficit. The remarkable fiscal turnaround is due in large part to a prudent decision made by Governor Dayton and DFL lawmakers to raise income taxes by 2% on the richest 2% of Minnesotans in 2013. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 2, 2018”

Bakk to Delta Air Lines: You can always come home

Senate DFL Caucus Leader Tom Bakk is encouraging Delta Air Lines to move its corporate headquarters to Minnesota, following Georgia Republicans threatening a $50 million tax break on jet fuel that would benefit the airline headquartered in Georgia. Delta Air Lines merged with Minnesota-grown Northwest Airlines in 2008. His statement comes on the same day that Minnesota was named the #2 Best State in the Nation by U.S. News and World Report.

“Delta, you can always come home. Georgia Republicans are threatening a Delta-supported tax exemption on jet fuel. In 2013, Minnesota passed jet fuel tax reforms that would benefit Delta. There are considerable savings waiting for you here in the #2 Best State in the Nation,” Bakk said. “As the former home of Northwest Airlines, Minnesota would welcome your return.”

Minnesota Nice, in this case, extends to airlines with local roots.

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 23, 2018

WEEK ONE:  Feb. 23, 2018

Welcome back to the Legislature! Here’s what to look for in 2018:

State lawmakers returned to Saint Paul this week to kick off the 2018 Legislative Session. The second year of a biennium is historically reserved for the development of a significant capital investment bill (also known as the “bonding bill”) and a supplemental budget. Other press  ing issues, such as federal tax conformity, will also take center stage.

TAXES: There is typically agreement among lawmakers to conform Minnesota’s tax code to federal tax reform, but this year may be different due to the Trump Administration’s federal tax changes. If Minnesota does not conform, 2019 state tax filing could be more complicated for taxpayers. If the state does conform, significant state-based tax reform will be needed to avoid a potential $463 million tax increase on Minnesotans. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 23, 2018”