Dear Friends,
Now that lawmakers have returned from the Easter/Passover break, budget bills within specific areas of state government are being brought to the House floor for a full debate. The Senate is going through a similar process, and once both bodies have approved a bill, an equal number of representatives and senators will meet in a conference committee to construct a compromise bill that can be approved by both legislative bodies.
OMNIBUS AGRICULURE FINANCE PROPOSAL APPROVED IN HOUSE
The first budget bill out of the gate in the House was the ag finance plan, and it was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support. This was no surprise, as ag finance is traditionally one of the few spending bills that lean towards the non-controversial side.
In addition to funding rural development initiatives and programs utilized by farmers, the House plan also rejected a costly mandate on food manufacturers and grocers and refused all fee increases the governor’s administration had proposed.
PUBLIC SAFETY/JUDICIARY FINANCE PLAN RECEIVES DEBATE
Legislation that funds programs relating to Minnesota’s public safety and court needs was also scheduled for debate on Friday. As I send this a final vote on the proposal has not been taken, but considering the plan was agreed to by a Republican and Democrat co-chair of the committee, passage is expected.
Some of the highlights include increased penalties for first degree sex trafficking and arson, assaulting a jail deputy, and dealing fentanyl, and prioritized funding for police and first responders.
FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SIPHONING STATE DOLLARS FROM THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
This week, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed enrollment numbers and costs associated with the head-scratching decision to provide free health insurance to illegal immigrants in Minnesota. The totals are staggering.
Two years ago, an all-Democrat led legislature and Governor Walz approved a law allowing illegal immigrants to receive free Minnesota-Care health insurance coverage, paid for by the taxpayers of Minnesota. At that time, they estimated 7,700 applicants would apply for the program over four years with a cost of $196 million. Less than two years in, the program has more than doubled. More than 17,000 have already signed up, costing taxpayers $550 million plus - and those numbers are growing.
Minnesota is facing a massive $6 billion budget deficit. Our governor is proposing significant cuts to nursing homes, schools, disabled Minnesotans, and more while taxpayers are being forced to provide free, top-tier health insurance to illegal immigrants. This is not right, nor is it fair to Minnesota residents. This health insurance program is being prioritized over Minnesotans who deserve and need critical core services.
This issue is the main sticking point in House negotiations for the Health Committee. Democrats are insisting that Minnesota taxpayers provide $550 million plus to prioritize benefits for those who have broken federal immigration laws. This is coming at the direct expense of services that Minnesotans rely on, including funding for ambulance services, hospitals, seniors, and other critical health care programs - vital health services Minnesotans rely on.
LOCAL VISITORS
It was so nice to have Robert and Angie Hoffman of Albert Lea join me as my guests for the Governor's State of the State Address this week.
Robert and Angie are owners of Robert Hoffman Realty in Albert Lea. Robert Hoffman Realty is an awesome local business and was awarded the 2023 small business of the year by the Albert Lea–Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. Angie also serves on the school board for the Albert Lea Area Schools. Both Robert and Angie are amazing promoters, encouragers, and champions for the City of Albert Lea and local business growth for the area. Thank you for joining me, Robert and Angie!
THIS WEEK’S COLUMN - PRIORITIZING OUR VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS
I’ve often talked about what a pleasure it is to serve on the Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs committee. It’s such an honor to serve and advocate for our current and former military members in this way. In addition, I greatly appreciate the bipartisan work of this committee. It is clear that we share the same common goal, which is to properly thank Minnesota’s veterans and current military members for the sacrifices they’ve made to help defend our nation.
The money available for this committee to allocate to veterans’ needs is minuscule in comparison to the budgets of K-12 Education or statewide health and human services programs. And with a $6 billion deficit projected in the next budget, our resources need to be used wisely. With that in mind, I was pleased that Republicans and Democrats were able to come together on a bipartisan House proposal that addresses some of the needs of the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms.
One of our top priorities this session was funding to help end veteran suicide in Minnesota. Each year, nearly 100 Minnesota veterans take their own lives. Sadly, veterans commit suicide at a much higher rate than the general population. This bill prioritizes mental health support for veterans and expands resources to help prevent these tragedies.
The legislation also includes a significant provision that acknowledges the sacrifices National Guard solders make when they are called to active state duty. Under current law, if they are called to active federal duty, they receive a contribution to a pension, but that doesn’t exist if they are called to active state duty to assist with floods, tornadoes, blizzards, or other state missions. This provision would provide a small pension offset for Minnesota’s National Guard soldiers who are called into active state duty.
We prioritized the limited funding the committee had available to the state’s veterans skilled-nursing homes for the men and women who have given so much for our state and country, as the goal is for veteran care in Minnesota to be first class. We also protected the definition of a veteran for those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces while acknowledging the contributions of Special Guerrilla Units (SGUs) to U.S. operations during the Vietnam War. This included directing the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs to determine which of these SGUs would be eligible for honorary recognition and properly acknowledged for their sacrifices.
This is a bipartisan bill that seeks to keep our promise to those who served and support our active military when they return home. With a 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House, everything we do is seemingly unpredictable. Yet, when it comes to veterans’ issues, we always seem to have a predictable outcome from both Republicans and Democrats: overwhelming support. It’s my hope we’ll see exactly that once again when the veterans and military affairs finance bill arrives on the House floor in the coming days.
Thank you to all the veterans, National Guard members, and active military in our local communities and state. Your service and sacrifice to our nation and state is greatly valued and appreciated. It’s an honor to serve you as a state representative!
Have a good weekend,
Peggy