Hello neighbors and friends. Welcome to week 3 of the 2018 session. The start of this month has been moving fast, it seems, with the first set of deadlines for bills coming up in two weeks. In between dealing with the lack of care from our wonderful HMO’s and CVS providers taking their sweet time in approving prior authorization I am sharing with you activities of the week. Meanwhile medical coordination or lack thereof is set for another discussion as well as the fact we should ask the question, “why have prior authorization if you are going to take 3 to 5 more days to approve it?” Interesting dilemma these wealthy HMO’s and Insurance providers throw at us as we play by the rules they set up then just dismiss us when we ask for action. If you or anyone you know experience the same problems please do not hesitate to contact my office directly as I am currently drafting legislation to hold these groups accountable to what they say they are supposed to do. I will also spend the next two years calling for their accountability and transparency to the process.
Dozens of groups held their Day at the Capitol event this past week as 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 in all it was a busy week with individuals exercising their rights to be heard and push for action in true fashion of exercising rights of a democracy.
All of these events and gatherings give 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 me, I’ll give you a personalized tour! Contact my assistant Chris at 651-296-4154 and he’ll get it set up.
On March 7 and 8, I was able to join 23 mayors and state legislators from nine states in Washington, D.C. to learn about and discuss the Farm Bill and its effects on the Mississippi River region. The event was organized by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and the Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC). The three cities I represent all have the Mighty Mississippi as a common thread to life in our area.
I hope you and yours have a great weekend and as always if you get a chance to come visit please do. Moreover, if you or any of your family and friends are experiencing the frustration of our current Health Care system I would love to hear from you. Either email me directly atjhoffman@senate.mn or call my office at 651-296-4154.
Until next week.
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
Second Chance Coalition rallies for voting rights restoration
More than 60 organizations came together on March 7 to promote one common theme – people deserve a meaningful second chance if they make a mistake in our criminal justice system.
The state Capitol rotunda rally drew hundreds of people from all walks of life including churches, businesses, politicians, and private citizens. One of the issues they are fighting for is to change Minnesota law to allow people to vote after being released from prison.Minnesotans who have a felony conviction currently lose the right to vote until they have been released from supervision, including while on probation living in the community, even if they never spent any time in prison. Restoring the right to vote for those living in our communities will positively engage more people in the democratic process, save resources, and ultimately make all Minnesota communities safer and more just.
More than 65 million Americans, or one in four adults, have criminal records that limit their access to education, jobs, and housing, and prevents them from voting in Minnesota. Our history is marked by successful struggles to expand voting rights, to include those previously barred from the electorate because of race, class, or gender. The legislation to restore voting rights will build a stronger democracy, advances civil rights, ends second-class citizenship, aids law enforcement, empowers family and communities, and assures fair and accurate voter rolls.
Eliminating statute of limitations for sexually violent crimes
Several legislators gathered with community leaders at a press conference on March 8 to unveil legislation to repeal the statutes of limitations for criminal sexual conduct and sex trafficking. The statutes of limitations for these crimes are currently arbitrary dates that don’t help survivors of sexual violence reach justice.
Our culture has a heightened awareness of acts of sexual violence, but we need our laws to reflect the support we want to give the survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. By making this change, we can guarantee that survivors can come forward when they are ready and begin the process of seeking justice at the time that they choose without the current arbitrary restrictions in law.
Student discipline policy changes move forward in Education Committee
Legislation to encourage school districts to change disciplinary policies before starting dismissal actions against students had its first hearing this week. It requires that districts report to the MDE Commissioner on withdrawal decisions.
Student disciplinary policies have been under scrutiny the past few years with teacher assaults and student exclusion and expulsion rates making headlines. There were bills introduced in 2016 requiring students to be immediately expelled for assaulting teachers. Opponents argued that such action would not help students solve educational and emotional problems and the bills died. However, bills that provided more inclusionary ideas also did not pass.
The bill explains pupils’ rights to present the version of facts of an incident, requires a district to convene a parental meeting within 30 days of the dismissal, requires that districts provide the suspended student the opportunity to complete all school work during the suspension and that administrators must immediately attempt to contact a parent if a pupil has been removed from the school building or grounds by a peace or school resource officer. The attempts must be documented. I have been cautious with past attempts to lower the standard of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act thus denying students rights to Due Process. However, in this version, the authors have kept in the 3 willfuls that specifically get to the intent of the student, and in the case of a child with a disability should trigger the work of a manifestation conversation. As long as children’s protections for due process are in this discussion I believe it will pass. (SF 2920)
Bill expands eligibility for Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards incentive program
The Energy and Utilities Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that makes solar energy systems of up to 40 kilowatts eligible for solar energy production incentives under Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Program, essentially doubling the capacity allowed under current law.
Most utilities in Minnesota offer solar energy incentives, which can offset a significant portion of the cost of installing a solar energy system and help to reduce energy bills. Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards program provides an incentive of $.08 per kilowatt hour produced, paid annually over ten years. The current 20-kilowatt cap limits eligibility to mostly residential applicants.
Doubling the capacity to 40 kilowatts would bring small commercial business applicants into the program as well. The bill was forwarded to the Senate floor with bipartisan support.
Health facility complaints
The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released their report this week on the Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) at the Minnesota Department of Health. OHFC is responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect in Minnesota’s long-term care facilities.
Lawmakers heard the results of the report this week when the OLA provided an overview of their findings and recommendations. The recommendations include addressing broken processes and procedures at OHFC as well as taking a closer look at how Minnesota regulates assisted living facilities. Seniors currently residing in nursing homes have greater protections than those residing in assisted living facilities.
The Department of Health provided an update to lawmakers on the progress they have made since the Department’s issues first came to light. With the help of the Department of Human Services, the full backlog of reports awaiting review have now been addressed and active investigations are moving steadily toward completion. The Department acknowledged that while this crucial work is happening at an aggressive pace, there is much more to do to ensure seniors and their families get the responses they deserve.
While some of the recommendations from the OLA report are already being implemented by the Department of Health, lawmakers are actively reviewing the recommendations calling for legislative changes. More information is expected next week on potential legislative solutions. Meanwhile we have had preliminary discussions prior to the report about possible solutions that are needed under Statutory authority.
Corridors of Commerce
The Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill this week that would require the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to provide at least 50% of Corridors of Commerce funding to projects located outside the seven-county metropolitan area. The Corridors of Commerce program was designed to improve the efficient movement of freight and business activities throughout the state.
MnDOT has been using a guideline of splitting Corridors of Commerce roughly 50/50 between metro and greater Minnesota projects, depending on what projects submitted for consideration and legislatively mandated criteria, such as the need for safety improvement, return on investment, and connecting regions of the state.
The bill undercuts provisions that became law in 2017, requesting that MnDOT complete an examination of their project selection process by November 2018, and issue a report to the legislature by 2019. The mandate to fund projects in certain areas of the state over others reduces flexibility and efficiency that was afforded to the Corridors of Commerce program when it became law in 2013 by requiring dollars be spent in areas with less freight traffic and congestion when those dollars could be more effectively used elsewhere.
Homeless Day on the Hill
On Tuesday, some constituents made it before the snow to advocate for the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is comprised of over 120 member organizations throughout the state. They support state policy that promotes housing stability, economic security, and racial equity across Minnesota. Thank you Kaade, Roxanne, and Malyn for stopping by. Malyn even got to meet former Majority Leader Senator Roger Moe who was stopping by!
Minnesota Licensed Beverage & Minnesota Municipal Beverage Day at the Capitol
On Tuesday afternoon with the snow about to fall I got a visit from my constituent Thomas Nesheim. It was MLBA day on the hill and they help small hospitality retailers like him stay in business. Thank you for stopping by Thomas and even the snow couldn’t keep you away from the Capitol. I hope you had a safe drive home.
Mississippi River Mayors and Legislators Meet in DC to Collaborate on Clean Water and Infrastructure
On March 7 and 8, I was able to join 23 mayors and state legislators from nine states in Washington, D.C. to learn about and discuss the Farm Bill and its effects on the Mississippi River region. The event was organized by the MIssissippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and the Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC). The three cities I represent all have the Mighty Mississippi as a common thread to life in our area.
Minnesota attendees included Representative Paul Anderson, Mayor Tim McNeil from Dayton, and Mayor Sarah Strommen from Ramsey.
The first day, we participated in a roundtable discussion about preparing cities for extreme weather hosted by the United Nations Environment Program and a dinner to highlight important federal programs alongside members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Representative Tom Emmer Congressional 6th District joined our group as well as keynoting the dinner. Representative Emmer has made it a point to meet with constituents and Minnesotans while in D.C as well as supporting the efforts of our collaborative work regarding the Mississippi river.
On the second day, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition provided an overview of the upcoming Farm Bill and how proposed changes would impact cities and states. Legislators and mayors then participated in a dialogue about how to support their local agricultural communities and encourage sustainable practices. A representative from the Department of Transportation also provided an update on the Trump Administration’s infrastructure proposal and the role of states and localities in securing funding and determining priority projects.
MRLC is coordinated by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a nationwide network of state legislators working on environmental issues. MRLC connects legislators in the 10-state Mississippi River corridor to more effectively address river health, water quality, and sustainable development. The members will meet alongside mayors again in September to discuss state and local strategies for reducing nutrient pollution and increasing resilience.
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.