Volume 6, Issue 2 — February 21, 2020
A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
We have already started hearing bills in both HHS Finance and Policy and Transportation Finance and Policy. The Capitol rotunda was busy with rallies including Reproductive Freedom Day on the Hill, Second Chance Day on the Hill, Athletic Trainers Day, and Pharmacy Student Day to name a few. Make sure to stop by, if you are ever at the Capitol.
Sorry to anyone I missed this week. I spent a bit of time with our own US Senator Amy Klobuchar in Nevada on behalf of her presidential campaign. You can find my national media debut here if you are interested.
Both caucuses released their Tax plans this week. The 2019 Legislature approved, on a bipartisan basis, the first rate cut in 20 years at a cost of nearly $400 million. Last year’s Legislature also approved additional Social Security tax relief. The plan to fully exempt all Social Security income from taxes would have tremendous ongoing costs but would benefit Minnesota households currently earning those benefits – about 57% of current recipient households already pay no taxes on this income. Higher-income seniors, a majority of which live in the metro area, would be the main beneficiaries of this tax relief.
Next week we continue a full schedule as session is already in full swing. Looking forward to another busy week.
Sincerely,
Melisa
Fireworks bill returns to the Capitol with a bang
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill this week allowing the sale and use of aerial fireworks in Minnesota. Proponents of the bill say aerial fireworks are already being purchased by Minnesotans in bordering states for use at their homes, so the state might as well gain from the sales tax revenue.
Opponents are concerned about safety, citing a sharp increase in fireworks-related injuries starting in 2002, when non-aerial fireworks were made legal in Minnesota. They fear injuries would increase even more if aerial fireworks are legalized. Some in the fireworks industry also fear there aren’t enough protections in the bill to safely operate businesses in Minnesota.
The committee added an amendment that would ban the sale of fireworks only in the seven-county metro area. The bill will be heard next in Local Government. (SF 1621)
“Clean cars” climate change initiative discussed
A joint hearing was held this week by the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee and the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee on a key climate change initiative to adopt California’s stricter “clean car” emissions standards.
Proposed by Governor Walz, the initiative involves state adoption of stronger low emission vehicle (LEV) and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standards, following the lead of California, 13 other states, and the District of Columbia. The proposal involves requiring auto manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of ultra-low emitting vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid-electric, full battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Manufacturers would receive a certain amount of tradable credits for each eligible vehicle sold in the state, and excess credits could be sold to other manufacturers or banked for compliance in future years.
According to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop, the clean car initiative would directly impact climate change and air pollution. Minnesotans are experiencing warmer and wetter conditions, and air pollution is affecting the health of Minnesotans statewide. Minnesota is not on track to meet the goals of the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act, and Minnesota’s transportation sector is currently contributing the most to greenhouse gases in the state. Adopting California’s clean car standards addresses all of these issues.
Commissioner Bishop stressed that the Clean Car initiative does not mean anyone would have to give up their current vehicle, does not require emissions inspections, does not require anyone to purchase an electric vehicle, and does allow Minnesotans to buy pick-up trucks and SUVs.
Numerous groups spoke in support of the proposal, pointing out the urgency of the climate crisis, the demand and enthusiasm for cleaner cars among Minnesotans, the health benefits of cleaner air, and the savings for families with lower maintenance and fuel costs.
California’s clean car standards are currently being challenged by the Trump Administration. The MPCA’s proposed clean car rules would not go into effect until that issue is resolved and California’s waiver is restored.
Doctors Caucus introduces a package of bipartisan health care bills
The “Doctors Caucus” of the Minnesota House and Senate announced a package of three bipartisan bills this week to make health care more accessible and affordable in Minnesota. With health care costs once again a big topic at the Capitol, the caucus worries that dramatic cost increases are not only making their patients sick but are keeping them from getting better.
One bill seeks to establish a commission to review changes in drug pricing and empower that commission to regulate the cost of drugs it deems unfairly priced. The second bill would provide direct relief to Minnesotans with high health insurance premiums through premium tax credits instead of reinsurance. The third bill in the package expands access to mental health services by requiring health insurance policies to cover a defined number of mental health visits each year.