Dear Neighbor,
The legislature is working to resolve this session’s biggest issues but, before we get into that subject, I want to wish people in our area good luck in this weekend’s fishing opener and a happy Mother’s Day on Sunday!
As for the latest news from St. Paul:
Education rally
This week, House Republicans stood alongside students, parents, teachers, and faith leaders at the Capitol this week to show support for nonpublic pupil aid. For years, Minnesota has helped students in nonpublic schools with the costs of important services like nursing, counseling, textbooks, and transportation things that truly impact a child’s education. We believe every student deserves access to a great education, no matter where they go to school – public, private, religious, charter, or homeschool – and we’re committed to keeping that promise.
Human services bills
Earlier this week, the House passed a pair of omnibus human services finance and policy bills which deliver meaningful support for nursing homes, seniors and vulnerable Minnesotans. The governor has proposed hundreds of millions in cuts for this area, but we prioritized seniors with $95 million in new funding to help nursing homes continue serving our communities. At the same time, we also prioritize protecting taxpayer dollars by cracking down on fraud and abuse within public health programs.
I was pleased to successfully amend the finance bill to support our senior population that depends on healthy and nutritious meals. My amendment provides clarity so organizations can take advantage of creative partnerships to stretch the dollars they are appropriated and make the best use of the money that's already dedicated to senior nutrition. There is no new funding - a way the program can stretch their dollars and leverage local partnerships.
Overall, these bills are big steps toward making sure human services funding goes where it’s really needed – to the people and providers who count on it – without adding more red tape or leaving the door cracked open to fraud.
Homeschool freedom
A lot of area residents have been reaching out to me to ask about provisions in the Senate that would impose restrictive new mandates on homeschools. That language is not in House legislation and we will be working to make sure it is stripped from the bill before it comes up for a vote on final approval.
I’ve also had a number of people reach out to me opposing a House Democrat bill (H.F. 3239) that removes the right for parents to claim a conscientious exemption from immunization requirements for measles, mumps, and rubella – including among homeschoolers. I also oppose this bill.
Thankfully, it appears this bill does not have a path to pass this year (unless it is added as an amendment to another bill). I will keep an eye on this one and push back if it happens to surface in the 11th hour of this session.
Visitors
Rep. Baker and I appreciated the recent input from a Granite Bank group.
I enjoyed once again meeting with people from WACOSA who came to St. Paul.
Anti-fraud legislation
House Republicans have made it a major priority of this session to root out fraud, waste and abuse in state programs. A press conference took place this week to discuss a handful of proposals we hope will reach the finish line this year. This includes creating a new Office of Inspector General, strengthening the Medicaid fraud investigation team and holding back payments from people suspected of fraud, just to name a few. We also are moving legislation to have the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) keep tabs on whether agencies follow through on audit recommendations.
These measures are in response to rising concerns about fraud in public programs, especially the massive $260 million Feeding Our Future scandal and fraudulent Medicaid claims in Minnesota’s autism program that have been reported.
The governor has said he is on board with many of these proposals and it’s time to make it happen. Minnesotans want a serious response to this issue after fraud, waste and abuse has soared under his administration. The pieces are in place to do make major strides in the final week of this session as long as we focus on doing right by the people of our state instead of letting partisan politics get in the way.
Helpful House links
Here are some links you may find helpful in following the latest goings on at the Capitol:
Please Contact Me
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. You can call me at 651-296-6316, or email me at rep.bernie.perryman@house.mn.gov. I am here to serve you!
Bernie
