Dear Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who has already taken my 2015 Legislative Survey. Your input is valuable to me, and I appreciate your feedback.
This is the last week to take my survey, so if you haven’t done so yet, please share your opinions by clicking the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Kiel2015
I will be sharing the results of my survey very soon!
Loan Forgiveness Bill
Earlier this week, the Health and Human Services Finance Committee held a hearing on my bipartisan bill, HF 211.
HF 211 addresses a critical need for health care professionals in Greater Minnesota by recruiting young graduates where they're needed the most. It also helps retain those individuals in rural communities by providing student loan forgiveness incentives.
It is estimated that the bill could add 200 new health care providers to rural Minnesota over the next four years including 60 primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, 50 registered nurses to nursing homes, 30 dentists, pharmacists and nursing faculty, and 60 mental health professionals, public health nurses and dental therapists.
I am pleased this legislation is continuing to move through the legislative process. If signed into law, it will have a significant impact not only in our community, but in communities across Minnesota.
I will keep you updated on the progress of HF 211.
Agriculture Omnibus Bill
In the Agriculture Finance Committee, we are working on putting together a comprehensive omnibus bill. This legislation must be put together and passed out of committee by April 24th and will finance agriculture related state government expenses over the next two years.
Some bills we're hearing that could be included as part of the larger omnibus bill include a farm business management program, funding for AURI, and rapid response funding for animal disease. Turkey livestock, in particular, have been devastated by recent disease.
The Agriculture Finance Omnibus Bill will impact farmers and rural communities like ours, and as the Vice-Chair of the Agriculture Finance Committee, it is my goal to put together the best legislation possible.
I will also keep you updated on this omnibus bill, and other omnibus bills as they move out of committees and onto the House Floor in the next few weeks.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Have a great weekend!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B