Dear Neighbor,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Conference Committees
Now that the House and Senate have passed their respective budget bills, the next step is conference committee negotiations. Conferees from both legislative bodies were named last week, and I am serving on the Job Growth and Energy Affordability conference committee.
It is the intent of the Legislature to not only hammer out differences among the House and Senate, but also work with Governor Dayton in an open and transparent conference committee process to come to a final budget agreement.
I will keep you posted on budget negotiations as we continue to move forward.
Premium Relief for Minnesotans
For eligible Minnesotans who purchase their own health insurance on the individual market, you should now be seeing a 25 percent premium reduction reflected in your next insurance bill. The premium relief was passed into law earlier this year.
This is great news for the thousands of Minnesotans negatively impacted by Obamacare and MNsure, seeing fewer choices on the individual market and higher costs. House Republicans worked diligently to provide immediate premium relief to help families, as well as implement meaningful reforms that will help bring stability to the individual market, address accessibility and lower costs in the long-term.
Legislator Recognitions
Receiving the CMSCA Legislator of the Year award earlier this month
At the MNCASA AWARE event on Thursday
Receiving the 2017 MNCASA Aware Award with fellow recipient Rep. Debra Hilstrom
This month, I was honored to receive two recognitions.
The first was a Legislator of the Year recognition from the Central Minnesota School Counselors Association. I will continue to work on policies that increase education equity funding for schools in our area, and advocate for our students, families and world-class educators. I am humbled by their support!
Additionally, I was also honored to receive the 2017 AWARE Award from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault for my work last biennium on what is now a national model to prevent and address sexual assault on college campuses. I will continue to advocate for policies at the state level that help address sexual assault and violence in our communities, and work to protect women, children and victims of violence.
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If you need assistance on an issue pertaining to state government, my office is available to you. You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 549 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Marion