Welcome to week 6 of the 2018 session. This is the midpoint mark and it was a busy week getting bills heard for the second deadline. We finished yesterday at 8:00 p.m finalizing the Education E-12 Policy Omnibus bill. It is now ready to be sent to the Senate floor while we wait for the House Omnibus bill to also be voted on and together sent to conference committee. We started off the week, in response to the historic March for Our Lives, as DFL senators joined high school students and Minnesotans of diverse backgrounds to announce the Senate’s first comprehensive plan to address the epidemic of gun violence in our society. The new plan focuses on three categories: Schools, Research, and Gun Safety.
We also had a vote in the Senate chamber this week unanimously approving new contracts for our outstanding state employees. The House also passed the bill with near unanimous support, and Governor Dayton has already signed it into law. As a result, more than 30,000 Minnesotans will receive a much needed adjustment to their income. The Senate also unanimously passed important legislation to begin addressing the state’s endangered pension fund. Both of these bills came together with Bi Partisan work and support.
Seems all we see on TV and in the news is how polarized our systems are both here and in Washington D.C. However, I will continue to work in a bi partisan manner so we can show others that in Minnesota together we can achieve good results for our constituents.
As we enter into the Spring break this week it is important you continue to let me know what priorities are important for you. I hope you and your families have a great week. Please contact my office at 651-296-4154 or email me directly at jhoffman@senate.mn
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
Governor Dayton Proposes extension of Voluntary Pre-K
Governor Dayton included in his supplemental budget a $175 million expansion to the Minnesota voluntary pre-Kindergarten program. These funds would allow another 17,100 four-year-olds to attend pre-K programs within their school district in addition to the 4,000 students already served, including 32 students in the Anoka-Hennepin school district and 51 in Osseo. Additionally, new programs could be established in all other school districts who previously applied for funding. High-quality early learning is a crucial factor in closing the academic achievement gap. Minnesota’s voluntary pre-K program expands access to early learning by making district-run preschools tuition-free, including transportation and meals. The proposed increase in funding would make it possible for even more local families to take advantage of these programs, ensuring each student has the same opportunity to excel in their educations.
Time and again, research shows that early childhood education provides an excellent return on investment to taxpayers. I applaud Governor Dayton’s decision to renew this vital pre-K funding for our local school districts and for other children across the state.
You can read more about Gov. Dayton’s proposal here: https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/?id=1055-285341
Children’s Advocacy Day
Children and advocates from across Minnesota came for Advocacy Day for Children on Thursday. I want to thank The Greater Twin Cities United Way and Minnesota’s Future for putting the event on and inviting me to read to a group of children that were there. It was a great experience and a day I hope the children will remember. This was a highlight for me this year.
Girls in Action Bill Hearing
On Tuesday I had my first bill hearing of the session. Girls in Action was founded on the power of mentoring and has impacted over 3500 girls in Twin Cities Metro Area since 2005. Currently over 300 girls (92% girls of color from challenging socio-economic families and situations) are enrolled in the 2017-18 program across 17 sites in the Twin Cities! This program has wonderful outcomes, citing senior graduation rate at 95%. It is because of the positive impact on young girls lives that we should expand this program to other schools.
Girls in Action supports young women of color in a variety of ways. They increase the academic performance and high school graduation and enrollment in post secondary education, provide career mentoring services, coaching and counseling to girls who experience sexual assault, provide knowledge of financial education and options for financing college for students, and provide personal development and coaching to girls who have had incarcerations in the family.
I was happy to provide the financing bill for the expansion of this program. Thank you Dr. Verna Price and Natalie Johnson Lee for all you do and to Sherita Turner, a student who testified on the positive impact the program has had on her life.
SF 3504-Xcel Energy’s Nuclear Rider Bill
The Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy committee discussed SF 3504 this week, also known as the “Nuclear Rider” bill. This bill creates an efficient channel for public utility proposals involving nuclear power plant maintenance projects. It also allows for electric companies to petition to add a “carbon reduction rider” onto customer electric bills in order to finance those projects. Nuclear plants are an important source of energy in the Upper Midwest, with Xcel Energy’s two Minnesota plants alone generating 30% of the region’s electricity. These plants are both reliable, have strong safety records, and operate nearly carbon emission free. To continue this service, the nuclear power plants must undergo costly maintenance projects. This bill is intended to aid in the funding and completion of those projects in a timely fashion.
Opponents have called SF 3504 a “blank check” to Xcel Energy because it does not specify limits to the cost of projects or to the amount of the rider. There is a concern over how much this will end up costing ratepayers. As a ratepayer I have the same concerns, however, this is not a “Blank Check.” These rider proposals will not go unchecked; each will still be reviewed and potentially modified by the Public Utilities Commission. Additionally, Xcel will be expected to adhere to the budgets originally proposed and all overruns will have to be re-approved by the commission. That is accountability. I only wish our HMO’s had the same transparency and accountability built in to their existence. Matter of fact, I wish our Health Care HMO’s operated like our Utility providers. That my friends is another argument.
This bill ensures that nuclear energy will remain a safe and reliable way of meeting Minnesota’s energy needs while reducing our carbon footprint. It passed through the Energy and Utilities committee on Tuesday and will make its way to the Senate floor shortly.
American Lung Association’s Asthma Day
Lung health advocates and state lawmakers gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol Tuesday to experience what it feels like to have asthma. The purpose of this unique event was to raise awareness about childhood asthma and share information about proposed state legislation that would allow specialists to visit the homes of children with poorly-controlled asthma and help re-mediate triggers. More than 12 percent of children in the state of Minnesota are diagnosed with asthma, and it’s the leading cause of school absenteeism. Asthma costs Minnesota an estimated $669 million per year.
The advocates were there for proposed legislation – H.F. 1326 and S.F. 1136 – which is authored by Rep. Nick Zerwas (R), and is authored by myself and Senator Abeler(R).
Our children deserve proper care and treatment so they’re able to learn, play and grow alongside their peers, and this legislation would do just that.
March for Our Lives rally at the State Capitol
Students, legislators, and supporters took to the streets this week and marched to the Minnesota State Capitol to protest the inaction of legislation addressing gun violence. These students, along with students across the country, chose to not be silent and are leading the country’s debate on combating gun violence. Sadly, gun violence has become a norm in America. There have been since January more than fifteen school shootings across the nation. The Legislature needs to listen to our young people’s pleas for justice. They are calling on state and federal leadership to find common-sense solutions to protect their lives. Legislation has been proposed to expand background checks and prevent people who pose a threat to society from obtaining firearms. Unfortunately, not one of the proposed bills have received a hearing in the Minnesota Senate. I was honored to join my colleagues at the march and in a press conference concerning student safety. This is not an attack on the 2nd amendment rather it is a serious discussion of safety. We have waited too long for this discussion and I am asking you to join in this conversation.
Medicaid work requirements are counterproductive
Advocates held a press conference this week to raise awareness of a Republican plan to require some Medicaid recipients to participate in work activities in order to receive health care. This change could potentially cut off health care coverage for thousands of Minnesotans who cannot work or find a job. Adding new barriers to health care for low-income people is short-sighted and counterproductive. The majority of people of Medicaid who are able to work do so. Those who do not work face substantial barriers to finding and keeping a job. Implementing new eligibility hurdles to access health care is inconsistent with the promise of Medicaid. DFLers stand against these new requirements in Medicaid that hurt Minnesotans’ ability to survive. Remember, 68% of all Federal Dollars to Minnesota is in the form of Medicaid. 70% of that money is for people with disabilities and the elderly. We know our aging population is going to surpass our K-12 population soon and any restrictions will only hurt us. Secondly, within the MNFIP Minnesota Family Investment Program, 45% of all participants either have a disability or have a child with a disability. This bill is not well thought out and lacks any moral character as it hides behind a curtain of we are only going to go after those able to work. Please do not let this mess become law. Increase your contacts to other elected officials. This is bad to Minnesota and not honest to Minnesota. Lets be Honest to Minnesota.
Judiciary Committee focuses on changes in state DWI laws
The Senate Judiciary Committee this week heard three bills that change DWI laws in Minnesota.
The first bill is in response to the tragic death of an eight-year-old boy in Chisago County, who was hit and killed by a man driving a snowmobile while drunk. The bill applies the same punishments for DWI offenses while operating a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or motorboat as those for DWI while operating a motor vehicle. Recreational vehicle privileges will be revoked for a year, and operators may face losing driving privileges. The bill passed and was re-referred to Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. (SF 3638)
The second bill requires the installation and use of ignition interlock for people who commit their second DWI offense within 10 years, or third offense within a lifetime. It also requires that driving after driver’s license revocation cannot be a payable ticket, meaning a violation requires appearing before a judge. Committee members expressed concern about the costs involved with ignition interlock, but the bill passed and will next be heard in Finance. (SF 3300)
The third bill counts felony level DWI offenses that happened in another state as qualifying aggravating factors for DWI offenses in Minnesota. It had long been thought this was already practice in Minnesota, but the language adds clarity. The bill was laid over. (SF 2755)
Improving the process for victims of sexual assault
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill this week that sets up procedures for handling evidence kits collected after a sexual assault. Over the past few years, legislators have focused their efforts on managing a significant backlog of untested sexual assault kits that meant charges were not filed in sexual assault cases for lack of evidence. While the backlog is still a problem, Minnesota may soon receive federal grant dollars to assist with the processing and storage of the untested kits.
The bill sets up a new process for the collection, testing, and storage of sexual assault kits to try to avert backlog. It requires law enforcement to retrieve a sexual assault examination kit from a health care professional within 10 days of receiving notice in writing, by telephone, or by electronic communication, if the victim agrees to release their kit for testing. Within 60 days of receiving a sexual assault examination kit, law enforcement must submit the kit for testing, unless the police determine the kit is not usable as evidence in a case.
The bill passed on a unanimous voice vote and will next be heard on the Senate floor.
Dayton’s tax plan focuses on workers, not the wealthy
As Minnesotans wrap up filing their 2017 taxes this month, the Legislature is already focused on next year’s tax deadline. Federal tax reform passed late in 2017 means that unless the Legislature takes action, at least 300,000 Minnesotans could see a tax increase next spring, and everyone could face a very complicated tax-filing process. Simply following the federal changes, however, could cause a tax increase for even more filers. It’s a complicated scenario that will consume the remainder of the legislative session.
Governor Dayton set an early framework for this discussion with a comprehensive tax plan released two weeks ago. The Governor’s proposal would bring new tax cuts to 2 million Minnesotans while protecting wage-earners from any tax increases due to federal changes. His bill sets a clear focus: Minnesota working families and individuals who haven’t enjoyed the same level of tax relief as big businesses during the last 12 months.
President Trump’s tax bill sent 92% of the tax benefits to corporations and the wealthy. The independent Tax Policy Center estimates the top 1% in the nation will see an average $51,140 tax cut under the bill. Corporations received a 40% reduction in their tax rate and a bevy of permanent tax breaks. Meanwhile, most deductions and credits in law for individuals phase out by 2025.
The Governor’s bill provides at least $186 million in tax benefits that are especially useful to small businesses and farmers, but it does not completely conform to all federal business tax breaks. Instead, his plan directs that relief to working families and senior citizens.
Specifically, Gov. Dayton’s tax proposal would ensure no Minnesota wage earners pay higher taxes, while providing more than 2 million Minnesotans with tax cuts totaling $319 million in relief.
More than 1.9 million families would see an average tax cut of $117, and 329,000 lower-income families would see an average additional tax cut of $160.
Unfortunately, Senate Republican leaders have yet to reveal their plan or discuss any conformity ideas that have been introduced to the Tax Committee. That work hopefully begins immediately after the spring recess. This type of tax overhaul demands careful consideration. It would be a disaster to repeat Congress’ mistake and push major changes through without allowing any public input or deliberation.
Asking the voters to decide: how should the state fund transportation?
Minnesota voters may have the option to vote this fall on whether to devote millions of general fund dollars to transportation, if Senate Republicans have their way. The Senate Transportation Committee heard a bill this week that would divert sales tax revenue from car rentals, auto repairs, and auto parts from the general fund to newly created and existing transportation accounts.
The bill phases in the diversion of general fund dollars so that by 2022, $133.4 million dollars would be dedicated to transportation each year. In order to simply maintain our current system, it’s estimated the state needs $900 million annually.
Proponents say the state is long overdue for increased transportation spending, and the bill will create construction jobs. Although the increased funding will still be inadequate, any infusion of cash will be put to good use to repair our state’s aging road and bridge infrastructure.
Opponents say general fund dollars, which are primarily spent on education, health care and local government aid, should not be shifted because it is a trade off and shift with these priorities. These funds would be constitutionally dedicated, the shift would be permanent—if times got tough economically for our schools, seniors, or local governments, these general fund dollars could not be shifted back.
The bill passed the Transportation Committee on an 8-7 vote and will next be heard in the Rules Committee
Pensions
The legislature has known for some time that it has to fix our state pensions problem. The amount of money going into pension accounts for state workers eventually wouldn’t be enough to pay benefits out. There are a number of reasons for this. People are living longer, and the assumed rate of investment return has been higher than most other states. In addition, cost of living adjustments have been more generous than the funds can afford. Minnesota was put on notice that its credit rating could suffer if the legislature did not address our pensions issue. This could have made it more expensive to borrow for construction projects. This pensions compromise is supported by everyone – one of the few times this has ever happened. The final bill cuts the unfunded liability in about half and includes shared sacrifice with both employers and employees kicking in more and retirees expecting slightly less in cost of living increases. The legislation passed the Senate Floor unanimously and awaits action in the House. (SF 2620)
State employee contracts
There is some great news for our hard-working state employees. After months of waiting, the Legislature finally passed a bill ratifying state worker contracts, which will give more than 35,000 state employees their long-awaited moderate and fair pay raise. These state contracts have undergone an extensive negotiating process, are fair to employees and are a good deal for Minnesota taxpayers. The raises have gone into effect because they were ratified by both the Senate and House this week. (SF 3154)
Retail Association Day at the Capitol
With one in four jobs in Minnesota directly connected to retail, it is now more than ever needed to understand the impact decisions have on retail businesses. That is what former Coon Rapids Mayor Army Nelson and Tracy, from Target Corp, talked with me about on Tuesday. They were joined by Students of Gustavus Adolphus college and residents of Champlin (see pic below)
Private College Day at the Capitol
Students United
Thank you to Ben, Ivy and Ben for stopping by on Wednesday. They go to school at Winona State University and are tired of the high prices they have to pay for text books. They would like the option of having digital textbooks for every physical text book. I’m with them on this issue, especially as I scan all paper in my office and digitally store it rather than using big and bulky filing cabinets.
Brad Worcester Visit
Thank you Brad Worcester of Coon Rapids for coming by today to talk about the importance of saving and securing the money that was promised to individuals with disabilities in order to support their desire for independence. A few years ago I had a bill that assured and inflationary increase for these services and recently we found out that DHS is taking it away. Not okay. Brad reminded me that without those supports he wouldn’t have access to transportation for his work in the community at a major medical company where he has been for 11 years. It saddens me that we are at the cross roads of fighting for survival for our people with disabilities. This is wrong.
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.
