WEEK Nine: Friday, Mar. 8
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The pace at the legislature ever increases and we passed two bills that went to the Governor this week. Our first deadline nears and I am providing another link to my bills and where they stand below:
My list of Bills
As always give me feedback and let me know what matters to you. I would also like to take a moment to recognize International Women’s Day. I know the two most important women in my life are my wife Yvette and my daughter Hope. They make me a better man everyday.Take this day to celebrate all the wonderful women in your life, look for another update next week, and stay safe and warm out there!
Restore the Vote legislation highlighted at the Capitol
Minnesotans lose the right to vote until they have been released from probation or supervision, even while they are living in the community and never spent any time in prison or only served a short sentence. This unfair law disenfranchises more than 53,000 Minnesotans as they are unable to vote due to a felony conviction on their record. Current law unnecessarily and excessively discourages positive participation in society, perpetuates racial disparities, and adds costs and complications to voting. (SF 856)
Governor Walz proposes 100% clean energy by 2050
A set of policy proposals introduced this week by Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan will lead Minnesota to 100% clean energy in the state’s electricity sectors by 2050. This three-part plan — called the One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy — builds on the successes Minnesota has already had in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and increasing its use of clean energy. Minnesota is already recognized as a national leader in addressing climate change, and this plan could put the state at the forefront of that work.
Bill would increase access to medical marijuana programs for veterans
Members of Minnesota Veterans for Cannabis held a press conference this week in support of legislation which seeks to increase accessibility for veterans looking to benefit from the state’s medical marijuana program. Speakers promoted medical marijuana not only as a viable source of pain relief for the veterans who might choose to enroll, but also as a valuable alternative to opioids and other addictive forms of pain relief medication. (HF 1420)
HAVA the waiting game: when will Minnesotans win voter protection?
Secretary of State Steve Simon re-released a comprehensive 20-point plan this week for utilizing the $6.6 million of federal election security funding allocated to Minnesota through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The plan was diligently developed by a working group of election officials, cybersecurity experts, members or staff from all four legislative caucuses, and a variety of other stakeholders across the state to determine how HAVA funds will best be used to protect Minnesota voters from cybersecurity attacks.
To see the full “Investing In Democracy” report, click here. (HF 14)
Insulin for all: creating pathways to practical care
DFL Senate and House members joined advocates, health care experts, and patients outside the Capitol and online for a Twitter townhall this week, to raise awareness around the critical need for improved access to insulin and other prescription drugs in Minnesota. Today, over 30 million Americans live with diabetes and over 7 million are dependent on insulin. Rapidly rising drug costs have had devastating effects across the nation. Between 2002 and 2013, the average price of insulin nearly tripled, forcing some people to risk their lives by needing to either cut back on or skip necessary doses completely. When an insulin dose is missed, people with diabetes are at significant risk for major complications such as kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, loss of eyesight, limb amputations, or death. To combat these unnecessary and unjust risks, DFL legislators have introduced five different bills in the Senate with bipartisan support. (SF 365, SF 472, SF 1184, SF 1182, SF 364)
Dairy assistance among this week’s legislative priorities
Minnesota is losing dairy farmers at an alarming rate due to market pressure. To add insult to injury, the weight of recent snow accumulation has collapsed barns and has prohibited tanker trucks from accessing farms – resulting in farmers dumping milk. Two bills were heard this week to help farmers access aid for their businesses. Additionally, a bill was heard to expand access to the Disaster Recovery Loan program managed by the Department of Agriculture. Should the bill pass, the program will help farmers with collapsed barns or destroyed machinery access zero- or low-interest loans as they recover from the loses on their farms caused by recent weather events. (SF 1698, SF 1699, SF 2225)
Mental health funding increase for agricultural businesses
Low commodity prices are taking a toll on farmers and their families across the state. There is indication that financial hardship is creating stress, which is in turn triggering increases in death by suicide, divorce, and substance abuse rates. Several bills were heard this week to increase funding to help farmers and their families deal with the stress of running a business. Many of the bills heard look to add funding for an additional mental health counselor; currently, the state only has one counselor available to aid farmers. Other bills heard this session would provide business assistance for farmers and farmers’ families struggling with financial hardships. (SF 1010, SF 553, SF 251, SF 1726, SF 1722, SF 1723)
A bill passed on the floor this week makes corrections to last year’s bonding bill. Additionally, the bill converts bonds funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to general obligation bonds. Several conservation groups and some legislators opposed using the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to issue bonds. Following last year’s bill being enacted into law, conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, claiming bonding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is illegal. By making these corrections and funding the projects through general obligation bonds, stalled projects should now be able to move forward. (HF 80)
Snow Days bill passes, House vote needed on similar bill
Minnesota school kids might start summer vacation on time in June if a bill moving through the Legislature becomes law. (SF 1743)
More kids in PreK allowed and no money to pay for it
The cap on the number of children eligible for free early childhood education such as pre-kindergarten and School Readiness Plus classes would be removed under a bill heard in the Senate this week; however, the money to fund the additional students, about $29 million for fiscal year 2020, was not included in the bill. Without the additional funds, program providers would need to fill the funding gap on their own. The Faribault School District, for example, needs an additional $384,000 and the Rochester School District an additional $686,000 to cover the additional costs.(S.F.1831, SF 1110, SF 1573)
Two-line fishing bill considered by Environment Committee
A bill heard this week by the Environment Policy and Legacy Finance Committee would allow anglers to catch fish using two lines during the open-water season, provided a second-line endorsement is purchased for $5. Proceeds from the $5 second-line endorsement would be spent on walleye stocking. (SF 226)
Family foster care provisions modifications heard in committee
Legislation heard this week would make modifications to foster care licensing in response to family members who are facing too many barriers when they try to take in relatives for foster care. The bill would align the state with the federal government’s licensing standards. (SF 1217)
Mental health a focus in committee
Building out Minnesota’s mental health system was a theme this week in the Human Services Reform Committee. Three bipartisan bills were heard that will improve access to mental health services for children and adults across the spectrum of care. (SF840, SF1481, SF1437)
Mental health training program for University of MN pediatric students
In response to the increase in children’s mental health issues and the lack of people to help serve their needs, legislation was heard in the Committee on Higher Education this week to include a mental health training program for University of Minnesota pediatric students. The bill would give all pediatric doctors better training to recognize and treat youth mental health issues by providing education on conducting comprehensive clinical mental health assessments for youth, placing pediatric residents in multidisciplinary mental health teams, and providing psychiatric consultation to pediatric residents in their primary care community clinic rotation. (SF 1702)
DEED’s budget recommendations heard in committee
The Department of Employment and Economic Development presented this week Governor Walz’s budget recommendations for the agency. His budget proposal focuses on community prosperity, expanding access to broadband, new business tax credits, and developing the infrastructure needed to offer paid sick and family leave for Minnesotans. Because of the recent budget forecast, Governor Walz may still alter his budget proposal for this budget area and others. The changes will be taken into consideration as the Senate and House develop their budgets for agencies and programs. At some point this session, the House, Senate, and Governor Walz will have to sit down and negotiate bill differences to find compromise.
Bill hopes to offer outlet for incarcerated Minnesotans
Minnesota instated a Department of Corrections ombudsman in 1972, the first state in the country to do so. The purpose of the ombudsman was to hear grievances from incarcerated Minnesotans and independently investigate complaints within the Department of Corrections. (SF 1090)
Mighty ducks ice rink grants approved
A bill was heard in the State Government Finance Committee this week to provide $2 million for grants to refurbish and renovate ice hockey rinks across the state, administered by the Amateur Sports Commission. (SF 894)
Voter suppression legislation reintroduced
A bill to implement provisional ballots was heard in State Government Finance Committee this week. Provisional ballots would require voters whose status has been challenged to cast a provisional ballot. Challenges may be due to disputed residency, felony, guardianship, or citizenship status, but can also be the result of administrative error or mistaken identity. A voter who casts a provisional ballot would have seven days to verify in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk they are eligible to vote. (S.F. 1803)
Spending spree in Tax Committee
After last week’s news that the state’s budget outlook has declined since November, Senate Republicans responded by saying, “The last thing we should do is add permanent spending commitments to the state budget.” This week, the Republican-led Tax Committee considered a slew of permanent tax-cut proposals that would drain $1.6 billion from the state budget over the next two years and $3.3 billion in the following biennium. (SF 1449, SF 1448)
Northstar commuter rail extension
A bill heard in the Legislature this week would provide $850,000 in funding to MnDOT to analyze and review the feasibility of extending the Northstar Commuter Rail to the city of St. Cloud. The Northstar currently travels on rail owned by BNSF from Target Field in Minneapolis to Big Lake, or about halfway to St. Cloud. (SF 1892)
Mileage-based user fee reconsidered
The Senate Transportation Committee again heard a bill this week that would establish a pilot program to identify and implement the steps necessary to develop a mileage-based user fee system (MBUF) to fund Minnesota’s transportation system. The pilot project must demonstrate and evaluate technical approaches to operating a MBUF system, analyze options and policy questions, and result in a near-term capacity to implement or phase-in a MBUF. (SF 1122)
Deputy registrar reimbursement funds pass
A bill passed through the Transportation Committee this week to appropriate $10 million for this fiscal year and $4.6 million in the next fiscal year for grants to reimburse private deputy registrars for costs incurred due to lost business from the unsuccessful rollout of Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS). An amendment was added to specify the funds will come from the general fund and not the driver services operating account in the special revenue fund. (SF 621)
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
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
Some of the folk who visited me early this week before I flew to Washington DC.
The Academy of Physician Assistants members sharing what is important in healthcare delivery.
The Brain Injury Alliance paying me a surprise visit!
Beth Holgers of The Link Passageways program asking for support in caring for youth after they’ve been saved from sex trafficking.
And I was fortunate to have had a girl scout troop come visit! I took them around the capitol to see this wonderful place full of so much history.
Representative Zach Stephenson visited and let us onto the House floor, thank you Zach!
Letting the girls see what it looks like from the highest perch on the floor.
Saying Hi from the gallery!
Thanks for coming to visit again, it was a blast having you at the capitol. With the chaotic nature and full workloads of session it was good to have a lighter time with those who will take the reins after us.
My daughter Hope and I flew to Washington DC to discuss environmental issues with NCEL (National Caucus of Environmental Legislators) and meet with our Minnesota Congress Senators and Representatives about TSA reform.
Hope and I gathering with the NCEL legislators!
A fantastic group of elected officials and people.
Taking it to the streets with our NCEL allies.
Senator Tina Smith taking time out of her busy day to meet with us.
Dean Phillips and his staff treated us wonderfully.
I happened to run into Mick Fleetwood and Fleetwood Mac!
We received some informational material about various healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living residences. There is also a list of legislators and their contact information.
Relating to healthcare, this week I took some time to speak about Care Coordination and how important it is particularly for our children. I have authored a bill (SF 146) This bill would ensure complete communication between providers and that a plan is ready to take care of a child suffering from a complicated medical disorder.4
Information and Resources
State Government
Governor
651.201.3400 | http://mn.gov/governor
Attorney General
651.296.3353 | www.ag.state.mn.us
Representative Melissa Hortman (36B)
651.296.4280
Representative Zack Stephenson (36A)
651.296.5513
Driver’s Licenses
651.297.3298 | drivers-license-information.aspx
MN Energy Assistance Program
800.657.3710
https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp
Election Information
651.215.1440 | https://www.sos.state.mn.us/
Emerald Ash Borer Prevention
and Detection
(MN Dept. of Agriculture)
pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol
651.201.6684
Local Government
City of Champlin 763.421.8100
City of Brooklyn Park 763.424.8000
City of Coon Rapids 763.755.2880
Anoka County 763.421.4760
Federal Government
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
612.727.5220 | https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
202.224-5641 | https://www.smith.senate.gov/HomePage
U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips (3rd CD)
202.225.2871 | https://phillips.house.gov/
Social Security tax subtraction
The Legislature spent $246 million in 2017 on a significant new tax subtraction for Social Security benefits. For Tax Year 2018, married-joint filers may subtract up to $4,700 of Social Security benefits and single filers may subtract up to $3,660 of benefits from taxable income. The subtraction is phased out based on a taxpayer’s provisional income – adjusted gross income plus one-half of Social Security benefits – so it is focused on married taxpayers earning less than about $104,000 and single filers earning less than about $80,000. (SF 245)
The Senate Tax Committee considered a proposal this week to legalize sports wagering in Minnesota and collect taxes on the earnings. This is a new topic since last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which found a federal ban on the practice in all states but Nevada was unconstitutional. Since that ruling, seven additional states (DE, NJ, MS, WV, NM, PA, RI) have moved to legalize sports betting in some format. (SF 1894)
MNLARS deficiency funding compromise signed by Governor Walz
A compromise to provide $11.2 million to ensure IT contractors continue to develop and improve the driver’s license and vehicle services software known as MNLARS and FAST was signed into law by Governor Walz this week. An additional $2 million will provide Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) with temporary employees to increase customer service capacity. The bill also requires Governor Walz’s new Blue-Ribbon Council on IT to conduct a review of MNLARS and determine whether the project can be completed by the end of fiscal year 2021 as scheduled. (SF 1092)
Veterans Committee honors World War I Veterans, corrects history
The Senate Veterans Committee heard a bill this week that would place a memorial plaque in the Court of Honor on the State Capitol grounds. It would replace the plaque that is currently there that incorrectly accounts for the number of Minnesota veterans that served in World War I. (SF 160)