Greetings,
Numerous bills continue to be debated throughout all of our House committees as the second committee deadline for legislation to be heard has arrived. Though the process is not glamourous, it is essential in order for bills to potentially make their way to the House floor before session ends.
REINSURANCE AGREEMENT REACHED
This week, the House and Senate reached an agreement on reinsurance, which significantly lowers health insurance premium rates for those Minnesotans who are forced to purchase it on the individual market. Some of the federal COVID subsidies that had been used to help lower costs are being eliminated. Without them, people will see a large impact in premiums if we didn’t renew reinsurance.
I was appointed as a House conferee to craft this compromise bill. When the House and Senate pass different bills on a similar topic, a committee with equal numbers of representatives and senators are appointed to work out the differences between the proposals. In this case, the legislation allows Minnesota to apply for the necessary waiver from the federal government, extends reinsurance for five years, and provides funding for it for three of those years. Ultimately this will continue brining rate stability for those people who buy health insurance on the individual market. The proposal passed both the House and Senate on Thursday and is on its way to the governor’s desk.
ARE YOU READY FOR EVEN HIGHER GAS PRICES?
On Tuesday, the Walz administration released the Clean Fuels Standards report, which details the Governor's plans to implement expensive new California-style fuel regulations that could add 20-50 cents/gallon or more to Minnesotans' gas prices without a single cent going toward roads and bridges.
The report indicated that the Walz administration may attempt to implement these controversial new regulations via rulemaking — the same unilateral approach it took with California Car regulations that add $1,000 or more to the cost of new vehicles.
Residents are already struggling mightily with cost-of-living increases under the Biden/Walz economy. If implemented, California Clean Fuel Standards would force the average Minnesota household to spend an additional $210 to $570 per year, every year, just to fill their gas tanks.
AVIAN FLU LOOMS, BUT POULTRY REMAINS SAFE TO EAT
Cases of the highly pathogenetic avian flu (HPAI) – which impacts turkeys and chickens - continue to be detected in the upper Midwest. You may recall several years ago, 9 million birds were killed or euthanized due to the virus. In response, numerous biosecurity measures were put in place to help slow the spread of avian flu if another outbreak occurred in Minnesota.
It’s a good time to remind all that even with this looming threat, poultry products remain safe and healthy to eat.
Turkey and chicken farmers should visit Minnesota’s Board of Animal Health websites to learn more about HPAI and what they can do to combat it. Tips for backyard poultry owners can be found at www.bah.state.mn.us/media/HPAI-Notice-Backyard-Final.pdf. Comprehensive poultry biosecurity steps can be read at www.bah.state.mn.us/poultry/#biosecurity.
LOCAL EMPLOYER TAX HIKE BECOMES REAL AFTER HOUSE DEMOCRATS FAIL TO ACT
Unemployment insurance tax hikes of 15% or more are now being seen by local employers thanks to complete legislative inaction by the Minnesota House Democrat majority in addressing the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund debt.
Local employers could face state and federal penalties if they do not comply with the state’s new unemployment insurance tax rates, a minimum $250 per month for late filing/payment or $10 per employee, whichever is more. Federal penalties could be up to 15 percent of the amount owed, plus potential criminal penalties. It sickens me that the House Democrat majority has put area job providers in this position, but the reality is employers should start putting money aside in order to meet their new tax demand from the state and avoid potential penalties.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Be well,
Tim