Dear Neighbors,
Here is a quick summary of what we have accomplished in the last couple of weeks in Saint Paul.
MNsure Relief and Reform
As I mentioned in my last email update, on the first working day of session we brought forward House Files 1, our MNsure relief and reform bill. A 2/3 majority was required to “declare an urgency,” and suspend the rules in order to bring the bill to a vote. Unfortunately, folks across the aisle were unwilling to declare an urgency and pass the bill, so this motion failed.
Since then, MNsure relief and reform provisions from HF1 have been moving through the committee process. Last week, the Senate passed their version of the MNsure relief and reform bill, and sent it to the House for a vote. On Thursday, the House amended a couple of provisions onto the Senate bill, and it will now be debated in conference committee to work out the differences between House and Senate versions.
My hope is that the bill will be given its final passage in both bodies, and be sent to Governor Dayton for his signature within the next week or so. This relief can’t be delayed any longer, and House leadership is doing everything that it can to work with Governor Dayton to ensure that he will sign the bill when it arrives on his desk.
MCCL Walk for Life
Sunday, January 22nd, was the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life annual march at the Capitol. My family and I were proud to stand with alongside our fellow Minnesotans for the rights of the unborn.
Thank you to everyone who came out and gave a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.
Suspended License Sentencing Bill (HF192)
Much of our community is familiar with the tragic car accident in 2015 that severely injured Macy Kujava and her 4 year old daughter, Sophia.
One of the major concerns that came from the sentencing hearing for the person who struck Macy’s car was that, in spite of driving with a suspended license and several previous violations of this kind, the maximum sentence for this sort of incident was a misdemeanor.
I have introduced a bill, HF192, that would bring sentencing guidelines up to a gross misdemeanor. Hopefully, this will deter people from driving in spite of a license suspension, and keep individuals off the road who should not lawfully be driving.
We are calling HF192 “Macy’s Law” in honor of Macy and her family. My prayers remain with Macy, Sophia, and their family members.
To follow where HF192 is at in the legislative process, follow this link.
For more information regarding the situation surrounding the accident, here is a link to the story that ran in the Brainerd Dispatch.
As always, please continue to contact me with your questions or concerns as we move forward with session. Your input is always appreciated, and very important to me.
Sincerely,
Josh