WEEK THIRTEEN: Friday, April 5
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are nearly through all of our bill deadlines. Next week will be the final week for bills to pass through their finance committees and head to the floor. As bills are being heard in committee we also had others pass onto the Senate Floor.
We addressed some important issues on the Senate Floor and there will be more to come. With the House, Senate and Governor’s budget all released now real negotiations can begin on how and where we invest in Minnesota.
As those discussions begin I want to encourage us all to be civil. There are many toxic statements made on various sides of issues and those tend to end a conversation before it begins. Without discourse we cannot understand each other and without that understanding, parts of what is important is lost.
So let’s have those real discussions and discover where we can agree. Together we can make Minnesota a better place year by year. I look forward to next week and I’ll keep everyone informed as best I can, #Togetherwecan
John
A Video Update from Senator Hoffman
Executive Orders
The Governor recently initiated three executive orders to help promote inclusion of people with disabilities. I wanted to share them briefly to keep you all informed:
Executive Order 13 recognizes that the work of the Olmstead Subcabinet is ongoing, and greater authority is needed by the Subcabinet to effectively implement the Minnesota Olmstead Plan. This order increases the authority of the subcabinet to utilize resources and continue increasing inclusion on all levels.
Executive Order 14 drives state agencies to comply more fully with the ADA. This includes enhancing policies to remove barriers in hiring and ensuring reasonable accommodations for current employees. It also requires state agencies to conduct public meetings in physically accessible sites as designated by our laws, and aids to be provided upon request to ensure equal access to all attendees.
Executive Order 15 is an effort to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity embodied by One Minnesota. Governor Walz is pushing for increased employment of individuals with disabilities. His decision to do this stems from the idea that the talents of these individuals are being underutilized. Individuals with disabilities have important contributions to make to the workforce, and Minnesota needs to develop opportunities for everyone to contribute to our great state. Both individuals with disabilities and employers will benefit from their increased participation in the workforce. Governor Walz and the executive agencies are leading the way in this push as they will increase the percentage of employees with disabilities to 10% within the executive branch. Executive agencies will implement recruitment and training programs to make this happen.
These are important steps that I am glad to see the Governor taking towards inclusion. We must lead by example and now our state agencies will be taking firmer strides into being the example we need for an inclusive Minnesota.
Gov. Walz shares stories of Minnesotans in his State of the State address
Governor Walz delivered his State of the State address this week, and he shared stories about how investing in Minnesota’s citizens elevates, provides opportunities, and improves the lives of all Minnesotans. Governor Walz emphasized how his budget will help more people in Minnesota succeed.
Equal Pay Day
Equal Pay Day was observed this week, and women’s equality in the workplace was advocated throughout the Capitol, as well as, across the country. Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into a year a woman has to work in order to catch up to a man’s earnings from the previous year. This year’s date was April 2, 2019.
Snow Days bill signed, school districts get weather reprieve
Minnesota school districts were handed an excused absence slip this week when Governor Walz signed the snow days bill that will remove penalties for school days lost due to Minnesota’s cold, snowy winter. The bill signing took place in the Governor’s reception room with Commissioner Mary Catherine Rickert and other legislators. (SF 1743)
Initiatives to fight Chronic Wasting Disease receive committee hearing
The Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee devoted a hearing this week to proposals that address the threat posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to Minnesota’s white-tail deer population. The disease is a highly contagious, neurodegenerative disease that was discovered in the late 1960s, and has now been found in 25 states and three Canadian provinces. In Minnesota, more than 30 wild deer in Minnesota have tested positive for CWD over the past two years, most found in southeastern Minnesota. Since 2002, the disease has been discovered on eight elk and deer farms in the state. (SF 1258, SF 2588)
High school fishing grants will reel in new anglers
The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee heard legislation this week that would appropriate $200,000 to the commissioner of natural resources to provide grants to high school fishing leagues. This bill would direct the commissioner to develop basic angling curriculum and establish a grant program focused on the development and expansion of high school fishing leagues. (SF 2643)
Senate continues efforts to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable
The Senate passed bipartisan legislation off the floor this week to combat the opioid epidemic in a decisive 59-6 vote. The legislation raises annual registration fees on pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesale distributors, charging up to $250,000 to manufacturers responsible for selling the highest quantities of opiates in Minnesota. The goal of this effort is to raise $20 million each year to fund treatment and prevention programs, amounting to just a sliver of the skyrocketing profits made by manufacturers of opiates each year. (HF 400)
Legislation to expand access to telemedicine services is heard in committee
Legislation heard in committee late last week would authorize medical assistance reimbursement for telemedicine services provided more than three times per week for the treatment and control of tuberculosis and allow community health workers to bill for their telemedicine services. (SF 1363)
Training grants for law enforcement interacting with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder heard in committee
A bill heard in Judiciary Committee this week would offer grants to law enforcement agencies to receive training on interacting with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (SF 1158)
Committee gives hearing to voices of missing and murdered indigenous women
The Urban Indian Health Institute recorded 5,712 cases of murdered or missing indigenous women or girls in 2016, only 116 of which were logged in a Department of Justice database. Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the institute said murder is the third-leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaskan Native women. (SF 515)
Pension omnibus bill underway
The Omnibus Pension bill was considered by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement this week and includes provisions to improve the administration of public pensions in Minnesota. (SF 2583)
Tax Committee considers buffer property tax credit
The Senate Tax Committee considered a bill this week that would provide a state-paid property tax credit to landowners that have converted portions of farmland to buffer strips under the state’s buffer law that was enacted in 2015. Several farm groups, as well as Governor Tim Walz, are recommending compensation for agricultural landowners that have converted their land to help improve water quality throughout the state. (SF 1937)
Until next time
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn