Hello,
I hope you have been enjoying our fall weather in Minnesota and are prepared for the winter ahead. In this update I want to share with you the new laws that went into effect this year, the cold weather rule, local elections that are around the corner, open enrollment and a Real ID update. Please feel free to contact me on any of these issues and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
Senate District 36
New Laws in Effect
Over the summer new laws went into effect for the State of Minnesota. July 1st, is the beginning of the State’s fiscal year and so there were increases to Education, as well as the Legacy fund. I am pleased with these increases. Transportation also got a funding increase, which is sorely needed, but I do not agree with how it was funded. $940 million came out of bonding, which is one time funding. Another $300 million came out of the general fund, which is money that is suppose to go towards educating our kids and healthcare that takes care of the most vulnerable in our state. Over the next decade our state needs an increase of $6 billion to build a competitive transportation network. While, this budget takes care of that funding need for the next two years, it is kicking the can down the road. We need a sustainable solution to our transportation funding problem.
In august there were also some policy provisions that went into effect. The one I want to highlight is a bill I chief authored in 2015 and co authored in 2016. It allows for an expedited process for Xcel energy to build a natural gas power plant, supplemented by wind and solar. This power plant will be replacing two coal fired power plants. Simply put, Xcel energy will be drawing energy primarily from wind and solar, however when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining they need a way to generate power. That is were the natural gas power plant comes in, and will be firing when they have a need for it.
If you would like to see a more comprehensive list, the house majority put up a list for July here and August here. Be forewarned though, it is a partisan list and there is some partisan language in the descriptions.
Cold Weather Rule
No Minnesotan should be left out in the cold. I’m proud to live in a state that recognizes the hardships all families go through from time to time. The Cold Weather Rule and the Energy Assistance Program provide a safety net for families to prevent anyone from losing heat during the winter months. If you anticipate problems paying your heating bill this winter, you may want to look into the qualifications necessary to be eligible for the heating assistance program.
The rule takes effect on October 15 and continues through April 15, 2018.
To prevent heating disconnection, customers must first contact their utility to establish and maintain a monthly payment plan. All electric and natural gas companies are required to offer Cold Weather Rule protection.
Under the Cold Weather Rule, customers who have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the state median income ($48,077 for a family of four) are not required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current and past heating bills. Others are also eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule payment plan.
Minnesotans who heat their home using delivered fuel, such as fuel oil, propane or wood are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule, but may qualify for Minnesota’s low income energy assistance program. Learn more about how to sign up here: http://www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/home/lieap.aspx
More information on the Cold Weather Rule is available at: http://mn.gov/puc/consumers/shut-off-protection.jsp or by calling 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.
Anoka Hennepin School Levy
If you live in the Anoka Hennepin School District you will have two school levy questions on the ballot on November 7th. Here are the two questions:
School District Question 1: Approval of School District Revenue Authorization
The board of Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District No. 11 has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $226.20 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
School District Question 2: Approval of School District Bond Issue
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District No. 11 also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $249,000,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of new school facilities; the construction and equipping of additions to and the remodeling and upgrading of various school sites and facilities to replace existing portable classrooms at elementary, middle school and high school facilities, to address safety and space issues resulting from student population growth and to provide safe and secure learning environments; and the construction of secured entrances and security and safety improvements at various school facilities?
Unsure if you are in the Anoka Hennepin School District? Use the Secretary of State’s website here to see what is on your ballot. If you are unsure about how to vote on the levy, the Anoka Hennepin School District has more information here. You can also contact the school board with questions here. Feel free to let me know how you feel about this or any other issue by using my webform, which allows me to more easily manage constituent questions so I can better get an answer back to you.
Open Enrollment
Photo by GLEN STUBBE, Star Tribune
Open Enrollment for the individual insurance market began Wednesday,November 1st and goes until January 14th, 2018. This allows you to go on the MNsure marketplace website and pick an insurance plan from the insurance providers in Minnesota. Unsure if you qualify to use MNsure plans? Don’t worry the MNsure website will scan your information and figure out if you qualify. If you are in the individual market don’t neglect the open enrollment period. Go to the MNsure website here and apply.
Real ID
On October 18th, Minnesota received an extension from the federal government for compliance with Real ID. The following is Governor Dayton’s statement on the matter.
“The State of Minnesota has been notified by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that we have been granted a formal extension for REAL ID compliance through October 10, 2018. All Minnesotans should be assured that they can continue to board commercial airplanes and access federal facilities with their existing Drivers Licenses or Birth Certificates, as we work to fully implement REAL ID and comply with federal requirements.”
For my part, I plan to work with my Senate colleagues to ensure the Senate bill we passed becomes law.
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
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