Dear Neighbor,
Before we get to this week’s news from the Capitol, I want to thank everyone who came out to the series of town hall meetings I co-hosted with Sen. Torrey Westrom in Albany, Melrose, Sauk Centre and Glenwood last Friday. The turnout was great and the input we received on a wide variety of issues is helpful.
We heard concerns from people regarding problems with the state’s driver’s license and registration system, shared thoughts on gun laws and discussed high health care costs, just to name a few top subjects.
Health insurance has been a major issue of late as people face premium costs they simply can’t afford. The Senate passed a bill earlier this week to extend our state’s reinsurance program for three years, a move Minnesota Management and Budget confirms would reduce premiums in the individual market in plan years 2020-22. House Republicans moved to bring the Senate bill up for a vote in our chamber, but House Democrats blocked that effort.
Meanwhile, the governor has proposed a 20-percent premium buy-down plan, but that would cost the state more than extending reinsurance, help only half of the individual market (those who don't receive federal tax credits), and do nothing to prevent premiums from skyrocketing if reinsurance is not extended.
On another subject, this week we received a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor regarding alleged misuse of state dollars in the Child Care Assistance Program. The report details widespread fraud in the CCAP program, and indicates a lack of internal controls at the Department of Human Services makes fraud prosecutions difficult.
While the OLA reports it could not substantiate a dollar figure regarding the fraud, investigators generally agree it is pervasive. Bills are being authored in the House to provide greater oversight of these tax dollars to help make sure the funding is going to its intended purpose, which is to help low-income families afford child care so parents can work or gain education to get a job.
As for bills I have authored, more hearings are taken place, two of which are related to elevator bankruptcies. One bill (H.F. 915) deals with auditing requirements for firms that buy grain. Another (H.F. 2021) establishes an indemnity program to partially cover losses in cases such as the recent elevator bankruptcy in western Minnesota.
I also presented a bill (H.F. 122) to a committee this week which facilitates a land transaction that is necessary for the Kraft Heinz plant in Albany to expand.
Look for more news from St. Paul soon and let’s hope we finally get a break in the forecast after this latest stretch of precipitation.
Sincerely,
Paul