Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to Week Four of the session. What a way to usher in the end of January with the extreme cold to our state, shutting down a lot of businesses, schools and even senate committee hearings. While the polar vortex affected us all I know we Minnesotans are strong people and I hope everyone managed to stay warm. Some even braved the weather to rally in the capitol rotunda as well as visiting me in my office. That polar vortex didn’t stop the courageous souls below from paying me a visit! I am humbled.
In the Senate
Financial lifeline for furloughed workers
A press conference last week focused on legislation to provide financial relief for thousands of Minnesotans forced to live without paychecks due to the government shutdown. The introduced legislation would provide short term, no-interest loans for affected workers.
Under the terms of the bill, banks and other financial institutions can apply to the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to issue the zero-interest loans, and Minnesota would guarantee the loans. The loans would be worth up to $5,000 and the program would cease to issue loans the day after the federal shutdown ends.
Though the shutdown ended with a temporary deal, the federal government needs to reach a deal in three weeks or risk another shutdown. The legislation is continuing to move forward in the legislature to be ready in case it is needed in the future. More than 6,000 federal employees were furloughed or required to work without pay because of the shutdown, with another 3,000 Minnesota state workers’ jobs funded through federal contracts impacted by the shutdown. (SF 588)
Advocates bring opioid awareness to the Capitol
Opioid advocates held a press conference, rally, and a hearing this week to raise awareness and advance bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid addiction and overdose crisis. According to the bill’s authors, opioids have become a public health emergency in the state. More than 400 people statewide died of opioid overdoses in 2017.
The legislation includes language to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable through a licensing fee. If passed, it is estimated the legislation will raise $20 million to help counties pay for costs associated with the opioid epidemic, including child protection services. The bill creates an Opiate Stewardship Advisory Council made of legislators and health experts who will be tasked with developing a statewide approach to combat this problem. In addition, the legislation also strengthens the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program, expands access to treatment programs, and requires stronger reporting from pharmaceutical companies.
Several hundred people attended the rally to show support for sustainable and dedicated funding to combat the opioid epidemic in Minnesota. Stakeholders emphasized that this legislation will save lives and lessen the financial costs to the state and taxpayers.
In Committee
Agriculture update on noxious weeds and invasive pests
The Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee heard an update on Palmer amaranth, emerald ash borers, and gypsy moths to eradicate and limit the spread of these pests. These invasive pests can have devastating impacts in Minnesota.
Watch the committee hearing from January 29 here.
Food stand bill received first committee hearing
The Health and Human Services Committee heard a proposal last week that would exempt from licensure any temporary food stands operated by youth under 14 years of age. The food stands must be located on private property, take in $1000 per year or less, and if potentially hazardous food like meat is sold, post a sign that warns customers that the food is not inspected by the health department. (SF77)
Lawmakers talk prescription drug transparency
The Health and Human Services committee this week heard a bipartisan proposal to license key players in the pharmaceutical industry called pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs contract with insurance companies to administer their prescription drug benefits, design formularies and preferred drug lists, determine patient co-pays, and pay pharmacy claims. Three PBMs- CVS Caremark, Express Scrips, and OptumRx- control a whopping 72 percent of the market.
The legislation would authorize the Minnesota Department of Commerce to license and regulate PBMs operating in Minnesota and require the companies to share certain information about how they conduct business. The legislation also includes a few provisions that the Senate voted to approve last year that failed to make it into law: eliminating pharmacy gag clauses that prevent pharmacists from telling customers when their co-pay for a medication might be higher than the cash price, and authorizing pharmacies to sync up medications for patients who make multiple trips to the pharmacy each month because their refill timelines don’t match up.
The bill was laid on the table as lawmakers continue to work on the legislation. (SF278)
Legislature needs to improve sexual assault policies
An investigative report from the Star Tribune in 2018 showed that fewer than one in 10 reported sexual assaults produce a conviction. As a result of this report, the attorney general’s office was directed to create a working group to look at the state’s sexual assault policies.
Recommendations for the legislature include requiring agencies to adopt sexual assault policies and protocols, making the reporting of sexual assaults easier, offering better training for local law enforcement, requiring law enforcement agencies to report aggregate data on sexual assault reports and responses, and expanding access to victim advocates. Other recommendations were aimed at changing statutes to help with prosecuting sexual assault cases and assisting victims.
Stakeholders responded to the report this week as well. Next steps include working with stakeholders to turn the recommendations into legislation.
Minnesota and the federal government both began accepting 2018 income tax returns on Monday, Jan. 28. Taxpayers have until Monday, April 15 to file and pay state and federal income taxes.
Since the state still has not reacted to major federal tax changes passed at the end of 2017, state and federal forms look vastly different this year. However, selecting electronic filing options ensures taxpayers have the most up-to-date information and will make navigating the two systems much easier. State tax laws have not changed at all since last year’s filing season, so taxpayers shouldn’t expect major surprises at the state level.
One notable change does exist, however. For the first time, taxpayers will be able to choose the federal standard deduction – now double the state standard deduction at $24,000 married/joint or $12,000 single – and still itemize at the state level, if it is financially advantageous. In the past, taxpayers were required to make the same selection on both state and federal forms.
A Video Update from Senator Hoffman
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