Dear Neighbor,
We are wrapping up another busy week at the Capitol. After recently passing an initial round of tax relief, the subjects of buffers, health insurance and Real ID have become central topics of discussion in the House during these early stages of the 2017 session.
I attended a lengthy meeting regarding the implementation of buffer zones on Thursday. We spent a solid four hours receiving an update from officials on DNR mapping and other aspects of implementation in preparation for enforcement to start this fall.
We heard from farmers who brought forth major concerns with the bill. In fact, there are enough serious concerns that enforcement may need to be delayed. I plan to include more information on this subject in a column I will be submitting to newspapers in District 12B next week, so please check out your local paper for more of my thoughts.
The biggest news from the House floor this week is that we passed emergency relief funding for MNsure enrollees who are suffering overwhelming health insurance premium increases – up to 67 percent or more – this year.
The House has put this relief package through the committee paces in relatively short order and it was important to get initial passage. There are, however, differences between House and Senate versions of the bill that will need to be resolved before it can be sent to the governor for his action. A conference committee likely will start meeting next week to make that happen.
A Real ID bill is another subject of interest as it moves through the House. This has been an ongoing issue as we look for the best way to bring Minnesota’s ID up to speed with increased federal standards. We have until roughly one year from now to meet federal compliance standards or, among other things, citizens would not be able to board domestic flights with a standard Minnesota ID.
The plan which is advancing through the House and could soon arrive on the floor for a full vote provides a two-tier ID system. This provides people who do not want to participate in Real ID an opportunity to opt out and continue using the same version of ID they have today.
This is not an ideal situation, but we need to do the best with security changes the federal government made in the name of combatting terrorism. Minnesotans deserve to know their state ID will allow them to board a plane. People who do not want to partake in Real ID deserve a path to refrain. This two-tier plan accommodates both.
I will pass along more information on these and other subjects develop at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Paul