Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is hard to believe, but we are in the closing weeks of the legislative session! This week was not as crazy as the last week as we are all waiting on the leadership of the House, Senate and the Governor to negotiate final budget targets so the Conference Committees can finish their work. I expect next week, the last week of the session, to be back to a frenzy of activity as we sprint to the Constitutional deadline to adjourn on May 20th.
First Bill Passed House Unanimously
This week I was able to have my first bill passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by Governor Walz! The bill (HF 1407/SF 1732) gives the Department of Health the authority to issue a "dual license" to the Maple Grove Ambulatory Surgery Center so they can lease space at an ambulatory surgery center in Minnetonka. Current law requires "single licensure" which means that only one surgery group can use a given surgery center. This can be a barrier to new surgery centers opening as it is very costly to build a new facility, which can raise the cost of healthcare.
My bill would increase efficiency and save money by allowing the Maple Grove surgery center to use unused capacity at the Minnetonka surgery center. It helps the Minnetonka surgery center by providing a new source of revenue and allows the Maple Grove surgery center to be able to serve additional clients without having to build a new building. This common-sense bill will increase access to care and help keep costs down.
I was grateful to have the support of Rep. Patty Acomb, a DFL freshman from Minnetonka, and the bill passed the House 129-0 on Tuesday. It was signed by Governor Walz on Thursday and took effect today (May 10, 2019). I've been told it is hard to get a bill passed as a freshman in the minority, so I am very grateful for everyone's support!
Rep. Robbins speaking on the floor in support of her bill HF1407, which passed the House Unanimously
Finance Bills
The big finance bills that make up the state's budget have all been passed by both the House and Senate. These omnibus budget bills all have major differences; namely, the House DFL budget imposes $12 billion in new taxes on Minnesotans. This includes the 70%, 20-cent-per-gallon gas tax, increased vehicle registration tax, and reinstating the 2% "sick tax" on every doctor visit and medical procedure.
Negotiations between House Democrats, the Governor, and Senate Republicans have hit a stalemate as Democrats have offered to reduce spending in the General Fund by $200 million, but have refused to give up any of their $12 billion in tax increases. This is all despite a billion dollar surplus — I recorded a quick video on this topic this week. Watch that by clicking here or below.
The leadership from all sides will be in Albert Lea for the Governor's Fishing Opener on Saturday, so I am hoping they will be more willing to compromise after a day together in a boat.
Taxes Omnibus Bill
The omnibus tax bill (HF 2125) that passed the House is also part of the House Democrats' plan to raise taxes on Minnesotans by over $12 billion during the next four years. The tax bill includes $3 billion in new increases over the next four years, resulting in increased consumer prices, reduced wages, and fewer job opportunities.
The Governor's own Department of Revenue put out a study showing these tax increases disproportionately impact middle- and lower-income Minnesotans the most. On top of this, the increased tax burden on businesses will increase the cost of goods and services, and make businesses think twice before starting or expanding in our state.
Minnesota families and businesses cannot afford these new tax increases - we are already the 4th highest tax state in the country! There were some good provisions in this bill that would encourage investment that I would like to support, so I am hoping the final version that comes back from the Conference Committee is something I can vote for.
Omnibus Public Safety Bill
Although I am a strong supporter of our police, state patrol, sheriffs, and other law enforcement, I did not vote for this bill because it had several problematic policy provisions I could not support.
- This bill had onerous gun control provisions that would not actually help reduce gun violence or keep guns out of the hands of criminals but would significantly harm law-abiding gun owners.
- It added restrictions and background checks to private firearm transfers, including between family members, effectively creating a gun registry.
- Federal and state laws already provide for background checks for gun purchases through a licensed dealer, prohibit "straw" purchases, and require a permit with a waiting period to purchase handguns or sporting rifles/assault weapons.
- It violates due process rights by allowing for confiscation of a person's firearms if a court grants an ex parte (only one party present) extreme risk protection order
- Law enforcement already has tools to address situations where family or friends are concerned about someone's mental health. If valid mental health concerns are raised, law enforcement can bring the person to a hospital for an evaluation and put a person on a 72-hour mental health hold, which would ensure they were safe, did not have access to firearms or other weapons, and they would be receiving mental health care. This is much preferable to simply taking away their firearms without any due process as it ensures they get the mental health care they need. In the realm of domestic violence, current law allows that if a person gets an order for protection and has a hearing, the accused can have their firearms removed, but that action takes place after the due process of a hearing.
Like you, I am also concerned about the violence in our society. The causes are complex and specific to individual circumstances, so I am not convinced the legislation will really address the root of the problem and I do not believe it will do anything to stop criminals from getting guns. I think we can and should do more to provide mental health services to those who are struggling.
Other problematic provisions in the Public Safety bill include:
- It moves Minnesota toward becoming a sanctuary state by effectively providing sanctuary status to illegal immigrants who claim to be victims of a crime (without requiring any investigation by law enforcement). It prohibits law enforcement from asking or disclosing the immigration status of the alleged crime victim or the person's broadly-defined "representative."
- It lowers standards for crime by allowing more felons to avoid incarceration by implementing "presumptive probation" rather than prison terms for felony offenses. It puts a five-year cap on probation for most felony convictions. It also requires courts to allow misdemeanor offenders to use "presumptive return on recognizance" rather than allowing the court to set and require money bail to ensure offenders show up for their court date.
- In general, because each case has such a myriad of different circumstances, I believe we should give the Courts wide discretion in exercising their constitutional authority in judicial matters. I do not think it serves the public interest for the legislature to limit courts ability to set bail, set probation or limit sentences since the facts of individual cases vary so greatly.
This bill did contain good provisions that I hope will still come out of the House-Senate Conference Committee. These include:•
- Stronger criminal penalties for sex offenders and distributors of child pornography;
- Stronger DWI laws;
- Authorizing the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to keep an incarcerated offender's criminal gang records for a longer period.
Things I Learned
Summer is just around the corner and this week I learned that the MN Historical Society is participating in two programs to give our military families free admission to state and national historic sites.
- Blue Star Museum Program: The MN Historical Society is joining a nationwide Blue Star Museums program that will give free admission to active duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and up to five accompanying family members, to more than 2000 museums throughout the country. For more details, go to https://www.arts.gov/national-initiatives/blue-star-museums.
- Free Admission to Fort Snelling: Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, Historic Fort Snelling will offer free general admission to all military veterans, plus up to five accompanying family members, any time during its open season.
We are all so grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans, current servicemen and women, and all of their families, who have given us the great freedoms we enjoy. I hope you will be able to take advantage of these programs and have a wonderful time exploring our state and the country with your families this summer!
Photos from the Week
Rep. Robbins meeting with constituents off the House Floor
Rep. Robbins with Mike Kenyana, newly elected Student Regent to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota. Mike is a student at UMD from Maple Grove.
Rep. Robbins attended the TwinWest Legislative Breakfast this week
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any legislation put before the House or any other matters to which I can be of assistance. You can set up a time to visit me at the Capitol by calling me at 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
I hope you all have a fun weekend!
Kristin
Like and follow my Facebook Page for updates throughout the week: Facebook.com/RepKristinRobbins