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Week
7
in Review
It’s
Friday
the
13th…
…
and
it’s
the
end
of
another
busy
week
of
session,
with
a
miserable
weather
forecast.
Where
is
spring?!
Taxes
Since
we
passed
the
policy
deadlines,
we’ve
moved
into
the
next
phase
of
budget
targets
and
finance
bills.
As
many
of
you
are
aware,
taxes
are
a
major
issue
this
session.
The
recent
federal
tax
changes
may
have
significant
effects
on
Minnesotans,
and
many
of
us
are
committed
to
ensuring
that
working
families
don’t
face
tax
increases
as
a
result.
Governor
Dayton
shared
his
proposal
for
taxes
about
a
month
ago,
one
that
would
provide
tax
cuts
to
2
million
Minnesotans.
Unfortunately,
the
Republican
chairs
of
the
legislative
tax
committees
have
not
offered
their
proposals
to
date,
and
we
only
have
5
weeks
remaining
in
this
session.
If
we
don’t
come
to
some
resolutions,
many
Minnesotans
may
find
their
taxes
going
up,
so
this
really
needs
to
be
a
priority.
Congress’
tax
bill
passed
late
in
2017
put
Minnesota
taxpayers
in
limbo
as
they
plan
their
finances.
More
than
300,000
filers
will
see
an
average
$200
tax
increase
next
year
if
the
legislature
doesn’t
attempt
to
respond
to
federal
changes,
but
if
the
state
simply
copies
what
the
federal
government
changed
word-for-word,
more
than
870,000
filers
will
see
tax
increases
averaging
$426
next
year.
The
legislature
must
carefully
consider
an
appropriate
response
that
protects
Minnesotans
from
tax
increases
and
doesn’t
destroy
the
state
budget.
That
is
a
monumental
task
that
requires
public
debate
and
should
not
be
rushed
or
entangled
in
end-of-session
games.
Regardless
of
personal
feelings
about
the
federal
tax
changes,
most
everyone
can
agree
that
the
process
by
which
they
were
adopted
was
inexcusable
–
written
behind
closed
doors
with
no
public
input.
As
a
result,
the
bill
that
passed
is
full
of
mistakes
and
unintended
consequences
that
are
still
being
discovered.
It
would
be
very
disappointing
to
see
Minnesotans
Republicans
walk
down
that
same
path
but,
with
only
five
weeks
left,
it
is
becoming
a
troubling
possibility.
Teacher
Licensure
Another
issue
that
has
been
a
focus
for
me
this
week
has
been
how
Minnesota
licenses
our
teachers.
In
2017,
I
was
part
of
a
major
overhaul
of
our
licensing
process,
including
the
abolishment
of
the
old
system
with
the
Board
of
Teaching,
and
the
creation
of
a
new
body,
the
Professional
Educational
Standards
Licensing
Board,
aka
PELSB.
As
our
workforce
has
changed,
it’s
become
clear
that
the
traditional
process
for
teacher
candidates
to
get
their
education
and
their
training
is
no
longer
flexible
to
many
wonderful
potential
teachers.
The
new
tiered
system
creates
opportunities
for
people
of
a
range
of
professional
and
personal
backgrounds
to
meet
the
high
standards
we
hold
for
these
professionals
who
are
so
important
to
our
kids.
This
week
in
the
Senate
E-12
Policy
committee,
we
held
confirmation
hearings
for
nominees
to
the
new
licensing
board.
WEEK
SEVEN:
Thursday,
April
12
OVERVIEW
In
final
weeks
of
Session,
Republicans
could
shut
Minnesotans
out.
Again.
The
legislative
session
last
year
ended
in
chaos
–
a
result
of
the
Republican
majority’s
decision
to
pursue
shadowy
last-minute
backroom
deals
instead
of
conducting
their
work
in
a
manner
that
is
transparent,
accountable,
and
consistent
with
Minnesotans
expectations
of
their
state
government.
The
Republican
majority
this
year
appears
to
be
comfortable
with
repeating
an
approach
that
shut
average
Minnesotans
out
of
the
conversation.
With
five
weeks
left
before
the
Legislature
is
required
to
adjourn,
Republicans
have
yet
to
release
a
tax,
bonding,
or
supplemental
budget
proposal.
Minnesotans
deserve
better
than
late-night
deals
that
take
place
behind
closed
doors.
DFL
senators
are
holding
the
Republican
majority
accountable
and
will
be
talking
about
the
need
for
fair,
transparent
conversations
about
major
issues
that
affect
all
Minnesotans.
In
The
Senate
Empty
boots
on
State
Capitol
steps
raises
awareness
of
veterans’
suicide
rates
Families
and
friends
of
veterans
that
died
by
suicide
were
encouraged
every
day
this
week
to
place
the
boots
of
their
loved
ones
on
the
steps
of
the
Minnesota
Capitol.
The
week-long
commemoration
was
initiated
by
Operation
23
to
Zero,
a
non-profit
started
by
local
Minnesota
veterans
that
raises
awareness
about
the
suicide
epidemic
facing
veterans.
An
average
of
20
veterans
die
by
suicide
every
day,
and
the
group
hopes
that
this
gesture
will
call
on
lawmakers
to
improve
mental
health
resources
available
for
veterans.
Around
100
boots
of
deceased
soldiers
were
placed
on
the
steps
by
the
week’s
end.
Minnesota
African
American
Family
Preservation
Act
DFL
legislators
held
a
press
conference
this
week
to
raise
awareness
of
the
Minnesota
African
American
Family
Preservation
Act,
a
proposal
to
improve
oversight
of
child-protection
services
and
provide
better
outcomes
for
African
American
children
and
families
who
go
through
the
system.
The
legislators
were
joined
by
parents
and
advocates
who
detailed
first-hand
experiences
with
the
disparities
in
the
child
welfare
system,
calling
for
strong
support
of
the
bill.
The
Minnesota
African
American
Family
Preservation
Act
seeks
to
remedy
the
disparities
experienced
by
African
American
children
and
their
families
by
preventing
unnecessary
removal
of
black
children
from
their
home
and
promote
family
reunification.
The
bill
would
create
a
new
council
within
the
Department
of
Human
Services
to
better
oversee
how
black
children
and
their
families
are
treated
by
child
protective
services.
The
proposal
would
also
require
local
agencies
to
place
black
children
with
family
members,
make
it
harder
to
terminate
parental
rights,
and
allow
for
parents
to
petition
to
have
their
families
reunified.
(SF
3779)
Building
trades
day
at
the
Capitol
On
Building
Trades
Day
at
the
Capitol,
members
from
the
Local
563
and
Local
49ers
spoke
with
legislators
to
advocate
for
living
wage
jobs,
prevailing
wages,
and
infrastructure.
DFL
legislators
joined
supporters
and
advocates
at
a
rally
in
support
of
a
$1.5
billion
bonding
bill
to
support
state
construction
projects.
Wolf
day
at
the
Capitol
The
organization
“Howling
for
Wolves”
led
a
rally
at
the
Capitol
this
week
to
protect
wolves
for
future
generations.
The
group
called
for
a
ban
on
all
wildlife
snaring
and
requiring
permission
to
trap
on
private
lands,
citing
the
dangerously
low
levels
of
wolves
in
Minnesota.
Afterwards,
participants
at
the
rally
were
able
to
meet
with
legislators
to
talk
about
banning
snaring
and
protecting
wolves.
Governor
advocates
for
expansion
of
broadband
Since
taking
office
in
2011,
Governor
Dayton
and
Senate
DFLers
have
made
it
a
priority
to
expand
reliable
and
affordable
high-speed
internet access
Greater
Minnesota.
Significant
progress
has
been
made
to
connect
every
Minnesota
home
and
business
in
greater
Minnesota
to
broadband,
but
there
is
still
more
we
can
do.
Governor
Dayton
urged
the
Legislature
this
week
to
support
and
pass
his
proposal
to
invest
$30
million
in
rural
broadband
internet
infrastructure.
Leveraging
$38
million
in
additional
local
and
private
investments,
this
proposal
would
help
11,000
more
homes
and
businesses
in
Greater
Minnesota
access
reliable,
affordable
high-speed
internet.
The
Minnesota
Rural
Broadband
Coalition
and
its
supporters
called
on
the
2018
Legislature
to
provide
funding
of
the
Border
to
Border
Broadband
Development
Grant
program
to
allow
economic
development
agencies,
local
governments,
and
others
to
be
creative
and
collaborative
in
their
approach
to
providing
broadband
services
to
underserved
areas
of
the
state.
IN
COMMITTEE
Agriculture,
Rural
Development,
and
Housing
Policy
Grant
heard
for
farmers
legal
action
group
Lawyers
Jim
Massey,
Lynn
Hayes,
Sarah
Vogel,
and
Dale
Reesman
were
successful
in
obtaining
an
injunction
from
a
federal
judge
which
halted
the
foreclosure
of
80,000
farms.
Because
of
this
litigation,
Mr.
Massey
was
invited
by
Willie
Nelson
to
a
Farm
Aid
concert
in
the
Summer
of
1985.
Shortly
after
the
concert,
Willie
Nelson
wrote
the
first
check
to
Mr.
Massey
to
start
a
nonprofit
law
firm
(Farmers’
Legal
Action
Group,
or
FLAG)
with
the
sole
purpose
of
keeping
farmers
on
their
land.
A
bill
was
heard
this
week
that
would
appropriate
$100,000
to
FLAG.
This
nonprofit
organization
provides
legal
support
to
the
Minnesota
Farm
Advocates
program,
legal
aid
organizations
serving
farmers,
the
Farm
Business
Management
program,
participants
in
farmer-lender
mediation,
and
farmers
seeking
direct
assistance.
FLAG
is
asking
for
the
money
to
meet
the
growing
demand
for
their
services
that
farmers
are
requesting.
(S.F.
3210)
Rural
mental
health
funding
Mental
health
services
lag
in
rural
Minnesota.
Additionally,
suicide
rates
are
much
higher
for
farmers
in
comparison
to
the
average
worker.
An
MPR
story
cited
a
study
which,
“…found
that
American
farmers
in
the
early
1990s
to
2010
had
a
suicide
rate
three
to
five
times
higher
than
other
occupations.”
A
proposal
introduced
to
the
Agriculture
Committee
would
appropriate
$100,000
in
general
fund
money
to
MnState
for
statewide
mental
health
counseling
to
support
farm
families
and
business
operators.
Additionally,
it
provides
$40,000
for
farm
advocate
services.
(S.F.
2850)
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT
Bonding
hearings
scheduled
The
Senate
Bonding
Committee
this
week
held
its
first
meeting
of
session.
While
committee
hearings
are
welcome
news
given
that
Governor
Dayton
released
his
proposal
roughly
10
weeks
ago,
there
is
concern
about
the
process
of
the
bonding
bill.
The
concerns
stem
from
a
bonding
bill
being
introduced
or
amended
with
very
little
time
left
in
the
legislative
session.
The
result
will
be
limited
public
participation
and
the
possibility
of
controversial
provisions
being
put
in
the
bill,
jeopardizing
the
bill’s
viability.
Including
controversial
provisions
in
the
bonding
bill
puts
at
risk
funding
for
projects
across
the
state.
In
recent
years
such
antics
have
scuttled
a
bonding
bill
and
jeopardized
the
passage
of
another
bill.
Education
School
safety
bills
take
center
stage
Legislation
to
enhance
and
help
schools
invest
in
school
safety
were
the
focus
of
a
recent
Education
Committee
meeting.
Four
bills
with
bipartisan
authors
were
discussed,
with
funding
for
the
proposals
to
be
determined
later
in
session.
The
current
Safe
Schools
program
allows
district
to
invest
funds
in
school
resource
officers,
drug
abuse
prevention
programs
(DARE),
gang
resistance
education
training,
school
security,
and
other
crime
prevention.
Districts
may
also
invest
in
student
and
staff
safety
measures
and
counseling,
social
work,
and
chemical
dependency
services
provided
by
licensed
professionals.
Schools
may
receive
up
to
$36
per
student
to
spend
towards
safe
schools.
One
reason
there
are
so
many
bills
increasing
the
per
student
amount
is
because
over
90%
of
Minnesota
school
districts
have
reached
the
$36
per
student
levy
cap
and
have
no
additional
funds
to
spend
on
further
safe
school
programs.
One
bill
would
create
a
new
school
facilities
improvement
program
to
provide
funding
to
schools
to
enhance
school
and
student
safety,
new
instructional
space
construction,
facilities
improvement,
long-term
facilities
maintenance,
and
school
lease
agreements.
Districts
can
levy
for
some
of
the
funds,
and
the
levy
is
equalized,
which
means
there
would
be
state
funding
to
help
hold
down
local
property
taxes.
Districts
would
receive
$212
per
student
each
year.
(SF2508)
Another
bill
includes
a
safe
and
secure
schools
provision
from
the
Governor’s
supplemental
budget.
The
bill
would
(based
on
an
amendment
discussed):
- Allow
districts
to
issue
bonds
for
public
service
announcements,
emergency
communications
devices,
or
other
equipment
related
to
violence
prevention
and
facility
security.
- Provide
all
districts
and
charter
schools
with
an
additional
$54
per
student
in
FY19
in
Safe
Schools
revenue.
School
districts
and
charter
would
be
guaranteed
to
receive
at
least
$22,500
from
the
sum
of
the
aid
and
the
existing
levy.
- In
FY20
and
beyond:
It
would
double
the
Safe
Schools
Revenue
allowance
from
$36
per
pupil
to
$72
per
pupil
and
create
a
minimum
revenue
amount
for
school
districts
of
$30,000.
- The
state
equalization
aid
would
help
low
tax
base
districts
access
to
this
revenue.
- The
levy
aid
must
be
spent
on
items
identified
in
the
safe
schools
levy
statute,
including
facility
enhancements,
costs
for
school
counselors,
peace
officers,
and
crime
and
drug
abuse
prevention
and
cybersecurity.
(SF2507)
The
third
bill
would
allow
districts
to
use
long-term
facilities
maintenance
funding,
up
to
$100
per
student,
for
districts
to
upgrade
safety
and
security
of
school
facilities.
The
funding
would
also
be
available
to
charter
schools.
The
program
would
be
effective
from
FY2020-2027.
The
plans
would
need
to
be
submitted
to
the
MDE
commissioner
by
December
31,
2019.
The
levy
would
be
equalized
to
hold
down
property
taxes
for
local
residents.
(SF3243)
The
final
bill
heard
by
the
committee
this
week
increases
the
amount
districts
can
levy
per
pupil
for
safe
schools
projects.
It
also
allows
the
safe
schools
levy
increases
for
intermediate
school
district
members
to
increase
the
same
percentage
amount
as
it
does
for
school
districts.
The
safe
schools
levy
allows
school
districts
to
levy
for
costs
associated
with
student
and
staff
safety
issues.
For
example,
a
50%
increase
in
the
levy
authority
for
school
districts
would
result
in
a
50%
increase
in
the
pass-through
authority
for
intermediate
district
members. (SF3472)
STAR
program
provides
technology
to
help
Minnesotans
with
disabilities
System
of
Technology
to
Achieve
Results,
or
STAR,
has
a
mission
to
help
all
Minnesotans
with
disabilities
gain
access
to
and
acquire
the
assistive
technology
they
need
to
live,
learn,
work,
and
play
in
their
everyday
lives.
This
bill
provides
one-time
funding
of
$50,000
for
2019,
which
is
crucial
to
ensure
that
Minnesota's
children
will
be
able
to
develop
employment,
academic,
and
social
skills
and
school
districts
will
be
able
to
support
student
participation
in
trainings
and
conferences. (SF
3810)
Environment
&
Energy
Wild
rice
standard
bill
moves
to
the
floor
The
Senate
Finance
Committee
advanced
a
bill
affecting
the
state’s
wild
rice
water
quality
standard
to
the
Senate
floor
this
week.
The
bill
nullifies
the
state’s
existing
wild
rice
water
quality
sulfate
standard
and
requires
a
new
rulemaking
process
if
the
Minnesota
Pollution
Control
Agency
(MPCA)
is
to
move
ahead
with
adoption
of
a
wild
rice
standard.
Wild
rice
quality
standards
have
been
in
a
state
of
ambiguity
since
January,
when
an
administrative
law
judge
rejected
a
new
wild
rice
standard
proposed
by
the
agency.
The
standard
in
law
is
10
mg/L,
adopted
in
1973,
but
a
law
enacted
in
2015
prohibits
MPCA
from
enforcing
this
standard
until
a
rule-making
process
can
be
completed
for
an
updated
equation-based
standard
that
evaluates
individual
wild
rice
water
bodies
and
determines
a
protective
standard
tailored
to
individual
lakes
and
streams.
In
January,
the
administrative
law
judge
reviewed
MPCA’s
work
and
disapproved
the
equation-based
standard,
creating
uncertainty
about
what
happens
next.
The
agency
made
some
modifications
and
has
asked
the
judge
to
reconsider.
The
bill
is
sponsored
by
legislators
from
northern
Minnesota
and
it
removes
the
10
mg/L
standard
as
well
as
the
equation-based
standard
and
directs
the
MPCA
to
start
over
with
a
new
rulemaking
process
if
there
is
to
be
a
wild
rice
standard.
Many
northern
communities
have
been
alarmed
for
some
time
about
the
potential
costs
of
complying
with
the
10
mg/L
standard
that
is
in
law
(but
not
enforced).
They
argue
it
could
put
businesses,
mines,
and
other
industries
out
of
business,
and
impose
huge
costs
to
communities
for
upgrades
to
wastewater
treatment.
Allowing
either
the
10
mg/L
standard
or
the
equation-based
standard
to
stand
creates
more
ambiguity
and
economic
uncertainty
for
these
communities.
The
labor
community
is
concerned
about
the
potential
loss
of
jobs
in
northern
Minnesota.
Opponents
of
the
bill
argue
that
ending
the
current
rulemaking
and
removing
the
wild
rice
standard
does
not
end
uncertainty
around
this
issue.
The
federal
government
has
adopted
the
10
mg/L
standard,
and
this
legislation
does
not
follow
the
federal
process
for
repealing
or
revising
it,
which
will
create
more
confusion
and
litigation.
According
to
testimony
from
the
scientific
community,
the
current
standard
and
the
proposed
equation-based
standard
are
both
scientifically
solid
and
protective
of
wild
rice.
The
Leech
Lake
Band
of
Ojibwe
opposes
the
bill,
stressing
the
significance
of
wild
rice
to
Minnesota’s
Ojibwe
people.
The
Minnesota
Pollution
Control
Agency
has
offered
limited
testimony
due
to
legal
constraints.
Those
constraints
were
lifted
on
March
28,
and
the
agency
weighed
in
for
the
first
time
this
week
with
opposition
to
the
bill.
The
MPCA
cites
many
concerns,
including
creation
of
a
conflict
with
federal
law
by
removing
the
wild
rice
water
quality
standard
without
replacing
it
with
something
at
least
as
protective,
jeopardizing
Minnesota’s
delegation
of
the
Clean
Water
Act
program
authority
from
the
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency,
and
the
bill’s
potential
for
unintended
consequences.
The
agency
also
says
the
bill
invalidates
water
quality
standards
for
irrigation,
except
in
cases
where
there
is
a
clear
water
appropriation
for
irrigation
purposes.
The
bill
has
been
approved
by
four
Senate
committees
and
will
be
heard
next
on
the
Senate
floor.
(SF
2983)
Outdoor
heritage
fund
appropriations
bill
advances
The
2017
Outdoor
Heritage
Fund
Appropriations
Bill
was
heard
this
week
and
advanced
to
the
Finance
Committee.
The
bill
appropriates
$113.9
million
from
the
Outdoor
Heritage
Fund
to
restore,
protect
and
enhance
the
state’s
outdoor
resources.
This
year’s
bill
funds
47
projects
recommended
for
FY
2019
by
the
Lessard-Sams
Outdoor
Heritage
Council.
Of
the
total
$113.9
million
appropriation,
$35
million
goes
to
14
prairie
projects,
$9
million
goes
to
6
forest
projects,
$28
million
goes
to
6
wetlands
projects,
and
$50
million
goes
to
18
habitat
projects.
- Prairie
projects
include
state
wildlife
management
area
and
scientific
and
natural
area
acquisition,
a
Northern
Tallgrass
Prairie
National
Wildlife
Refuge
land
acquisition,
the
Cannon
River
Headwaters
Habitat
Complex
projects,
and
about
$5
million
for
the
Board
of
Water
and
Soil
Resources’
Reinvest
in
Minnesota
(RIM)
“Buffers
for
Wildlife
and
Water”
project.
- Forest
projects
include
a
Camp
Ripley
partnership,
a
Southeast
MN
protection
and
restoration
project,
new
acquisition
for
the
Richard
J.
Dorer
Memorial
Forest,
a
Minnesota
moose
habitat
collaborative,
and
more.
- Wetlands
projects
include
RIM
wetlands
($10
million
for
the
Conservation
Reserve
Enhancement
Program),
and
$4.8
million
for
the
Shallow
Lake
and
Wetland
Protection
Program.
- Habitat
projects
include
the
Mississippi
Headwaters
Habitat
Corridor
Partnership
($2
million),
Fisheries
habitat
protection
on
strategic
north
central
Minnesota
lakes
($2.8
million),
Minnesota
Trout
Unlimited
coldwater
fish
habitat
enhancement
and
restoration
($2.3
million),
and
others.
- 43%
of
total
spending
goes
to
prairies,
31%
benefits
wildlife
habitat,
16%
affects
wetlands,
and
10%
is
used
for
forests.
The
Outdoor
Heritage
Fund
is
part
of
Minnesota’s
Clean
Water,
Land
and
Legacy
Amendment,
a
constitutional
amendment
that
was
approved
by
voters
in
2007.
The
amendment
dedicates
a
small
fraction
of
the
sales
tax
to
four
areas:
outdoor
heritage,
clean
water,
parks
and
trails,
and
arts
and
cultural
heritage.
The
Lessard-Sams
Outdoor
Heritage
Council
meets
through
the
legislative
interim
to
evaluate
proposals
and
make
recommendations
to
the
Legislature
regarding
how
these
funds
are
to
be
spent
to
meet
the
intent
of
the
constitutional
amendment.
While
the
Legislature
has
authority
to
make
changes
in
these
recommendations,
the
Senate
has
a
long
history
of
keeping
them
largely
intact.
(SF
2688)
Higher
Education
Counseling
for
student
loan
debt
Student
loan
debt
continues
to
be
an
issue
for
many
Minnesotans.
To
help
prevent
students
from
falling
behind
on
their
student
loan
payments,
legislation
was
heard
this
week
to
establish
a
grant
program
to
pay
for
student
loan
debt
repayment
counseling.
The
counseling
would
be
available
to
all
state
residents
who
attended
a
Minnesota
post
secondary
institution.
The
funds
would
be
granted
to
a
Minnesota-based
non-profit
with
expertise
in
debt
counseling.
They
would
help
borrowers
better
understand
their
loan
and
repayment
options,
manage
loan
repayments,
and
develop
a
workable
budget
based
on
the
borrower's
full
financial
situation
regarding
income,
expenses,
and
other
debt.
The
Legislature
in
2015
appropriated
$150,000
to
the
Office
of
Higher
Education
for
a
temporary
student
loan
debt
counseling
pilot
program.
The
pilot
program
grant
was
awarded
to
Lutheran
Social
Services
(LSS).
The
program
is
similar
to
the
pilot
program
established
in
2015.
Senate
DFLers
offered
the
bill
in
2017
and
it
was
heard
in
committee,
but
the
funding
was
stripped
from
the
bill
in
conference
committee.
(SF
3058)
Health
and
Human
Services
Lawmakers
seek
funding
to
continue
fight
against
tobacco
A
bipartisan
group
of
lawmakers
are
behind
a
bill
presented
to
the
Health
and
Human
Services
Finance
and
Policy
Committee
this
week
that
would
solidify
the
future
of
Minnesota’s
successful
anti-smoking
efforts.
QUITPLAN
Services
is
a
nonprofit
organization
that
provides
free
tobacco
cessation
services
to
all
Minnesotans.
It
was
funded
through
a
portion
of
the
Minnesota
tobacco
settlement
revenue
that
tobacco
companies
were
ordered
to
send
the
state
in
1998.
QUITPLAN
was
created
with
a
strict
timeline
and
funding
is
scheduled
to
cease
in
March
2020,
which
would
make
Minnesota
the
only
state
in
the
nation
to
not
offer
a
free
cessation
service.
The
bill
heard
this
week
would
permanently
dedicate
a
portion
of
future
tobacco
settlement
revenue
to
smoking-cessation
efforts,
ensuring
at
least
some
of
that
revenue
is
used
for
the
intended
purpose
of
preventing
tobacco
addiction
among
Minnesotans.
Smoking
not
only
impacts
personal
health
but
it
also
has
a
large
impact
on
state
services
and
revenues.
Statistics
show
smokers’
health
care
costs
are
34%
higher
than
nonsmokers,
and
that
leads
to
an
estimated
$7
billion
annual
cost
to
the
state
through
lost
productivity
and
excess
health
care
costs,
according
to
advocates
of
this
bill.
These
statistics
are
one
reason
why
DFLers
fought
so
hard
against
more
than
$35
million
in
tax
breaks
for
tobacco
companies
that
were
included
in
last
year’s
tax
bill.
The
Governor
has
proposed
repealing
those
tax
cuts
in
this
year’s
budget.
Pursuing
that
along
with
this
new
proposal
would
be
the
strongest,
most
effective
step
toward
reducing
tobacco
use
and
tobacco-related
costs
in
Minnesota.
(SF
3006)
Republicans
aim
to
impose
further
restrictions
on
SNAP
recipients
A
bill
heard
in
the
House
Health
and
Human
Services
Committee
this
week
would
impose
asset
restrictions
on
recipients
of
SNAP,
the
Supplement
Nutritional
Assistance
Program,
and
on
certain
medical
assistance
enrollees.
Republicans
argue
the
bill
will
save
the
state
money
and
prevent
fraudulent
use
of
the
state’s
assistance
programs.
However,
SNAP
is
federally
funded
and
has
no
direct
effect
on
the
state
budget.
Imposing
an
asset
test
in
medical
assistance
for
families
with
children
and
adults
without
children
is
not
allowed
under
current
federal
law.
Asset
tests
do
not
protect
the
state
budget
from
fraudulent
activities,
they
simply
put
food
support
and
health
care
out
of
reach
for
more
people.
There
is
also
concern
that
the
bill
will
add
to
counties’
already
overburdened
workloads,
without
providing
funding
for
the
additional
staff
or
personhours
required
to
determine
eligibility
under
these
new
requirements.
This
bill
is
yet
another
approach
by
Republicans
to
chip
away
at
vital
programs
under
the
guise
of
eliminating
fraud
and
abuse.
The
bill
was
only
heard
on
an
informational
basis
and
no
action
was
taken.
(SF
3333)
Minnesota
must
address
its
opioid
epidemic
Bipartisan
legislation
was
introduced
early
this
session
to
raise
money
to
combat
the
opioid
overdose
epidemic
that
claimed
the
lives
of
hundreds
of
Minnesotans
last
year.
The
legislation
would
have
charged
pharmaceutical
companies
a
“penny-a-pill”
for
every
opioid
painkiller
they
sold.
This
proposal
would
have
raised
an
estimated
$20
million
in
continued
funding
for
prevention
and
treatment
programs.
Unfortunately,
the
“penny-a-pill”
legislation
faces
an
uncertain
future
because
of
pressure
from
pharmaceutical
lobbyists
and
the
Americans
for
Prosperity
organization
founded
by
the
conservative
Koch
Brothers.
The
House
version
of
the
bill
no
longer
includes
the
fee
on
manufacturers.
Instead,
money
for
the
programs
would
come
out
of
the
state
general
fund,
which
would
be
one-time
funding.
The
Senate
version
of
the
bill
was
tabled
by
the
author.
Minnesota
Department
of
Health
data
shows
the
state
had
395
opioid
deaths
in
2016,
an
18%
increase
over
2015.
Of
those
395
deaths,
194
were
linked
to
prescription
opioids.
It
is
disappointing
this
critical
legislation—which
has
bipartisan
support—is
getting
waylaid.
Advocates
argue
that drug
manufacturers
need
to
pay
their
fair
share
for
the
harm
their
products
have
caused
and
alleviate
some
of
the
financial
burden
borne
almost
entirely
by
taxpayers
to
address
the
crisis.
There
have
been
lawsuits
filed
across
the
country
contending
that
drug
companies
knew
how
addictive
opioids
were,
but
still
pushed
for
them
to
be
widely
prescribed.
Despite
mounting
pressure,
the
industry
has
largely
managed
to
curb
efforts
to
hold
them
accountable.
Separate
legislation
that
expands
response
efforts
was
heard
this
week
in
the
Health
and
Human
Services
Finance
and
Policy
Committee.
The
bill
creates
a
pilot
project
to
provide
$1
million
in
grants
for
community
paramedics
providing
services
in
communities
with
high
levels
of
opioid
use.
Grants
would
support
the
work
of
community
paramedics
to
serve
patients
released
from
hospitals
following
an
overdose
episode
by
providing
follow-up
evaluations
and
health
and
safety
assessments.
Last
week,
the Shared
Solutions
Addiction
Summit met
to
address
the
opioid
epidemic.
They
are
working
from
the
premise
that
states
need
to
focus
on
addiction
and
substance
use
disorder
(SUD)
as
a
chronic
health
condition.
This
Summit
was
designed
to
be
a
catalyst
for
a
coordinated
state-wide
prevention-intervention-treatment-recovery
education
campaign
that
provides
essential
training
to
both
professionals
and
the
public
at
large.
While
efforts
have
been
building
across
Minnesota
to
address
this
urgent
public
health
crisis,
there
is
still
so
much
more
to
do.
The
legislature
must
continue
to
push
for
the
kind
of
comprehensive
solutions
that
are
necessary
for
turning
the
tide
and
saving
lives.
State
and
Local
Government
Election
protection
funds
In
the
$1.3
trillion
federal
spending
bill
that
was
approved
last
month,
$380
million
in
Help
America
Vote
Act
election
security
funds
were
appropriated
to
the
Election
Assistance
Commission
to
provide
grants
to
states.
The
funds
must
be
used
to
improve
the
administration
of
federal
elections,
enhance
technology,
or
make
certain
election
security
improvements.
The
federal
commission
recently
released
state-by-state
grant
totals,
with
Minnesota
scheduled
to
receive
almost
$6.6
million
in
federal
funds
to
be
spent
over
the
next
five
years.
The
required
5%
state
match
is
$329,781
and
will
need
to
be
appropriated
in
the
next
two
years.
Requests
for
additional
federal
funding
for
election
security
have
increased
after
the
Department
of
Homeland
Security
announced
Russian
hackers
scanned
the
digital
voter
registration
systems
in
21
states
leading
up
to
the
2016
election.
These
funds
will
provide
security
improvements
to
the
statewide
voter
registration
system
and
protect
against
future
interference
in
Minnesota
elections.
(SF
3839)
Taxes
Tick-tock
on
the
tax
bill
With
five
weeks
left
in
the
legislative
session,
legislators
still
have
not
seen
a
tax
conformity
proposal
from
Republican
leaders
in
either
the
House
or
Senate.
Governor
Dayton’s
plan
to
cut
taxes
for
2
million
taxpayers
and
better
align
state
and
federal
code
was
released
nearly
a
month
ago.
Congress’
massive
tax
bill
passed
late
in
2017
put
Minnesota
taxpayers
in
limbo
as
they
plan
their
finances.
More
than
300,000
filers
will
see
an
average
$200
tax
increase
next
year
if
the
legislature
doesn’t
attempt
to
respond
to
federal
changes,
but
if
the
state
simply
copies
what
the
federal
government
changed
word-for-word,
more
than
870,000
filers
will
see
tax
increases
averaging
$426
next
year.
The
legislature
must
carefully
consider
an
appropriate
response
that
protects
Minnesotans
from
tax
increases
and
doesn’t
destroy
the
state
budget.
That
is
a
monumental
task
that
requires
public
debate
and
should
not
be
rushed
or
entangled
in
end-of-session
games.
Regardless
of
personal
feelings
about
the
federal
tax
changes,
most
everyone
can
agree
that
the
process
by
which
they
were
adopted
was
inexcusable
–
written
behind
closed
doors
with
no
public
input.
As
a
result,
the
bill
that
passed
is
full
of
mistakes
and
unintended
consequences
that
are
still
being
discovered.
It
would
be
very
disappointing
to
see
Minnesotans
Republicans
walk
down
that
same
path
but,
with
only
five
weeks
left,
it
is
becoming
a
troubling
possibility.
For
more
information
on
the
Governor’s
proposal
released
last
month,
click
here.
Transportation
Hang
up
and
drive
The
bill
to
prohibit
the
use
of
handheld
cellular
phones
while
driving
inched
closer
to
becoming
law
this
week.
The
Senate
Transportation
Committee
held
a
quick
hearing
on
the
bill,
moving
it
on
a
unanimous
voice
vote
to
the
Finance
Committee.
This
bill
prohibits
the
use
of
cell
phones
while
driving—in
motion,
or
as
part
of
traffic,
including
use
at
stoplights,
except
when
the
driver
is
using
a
hands-free
device.
The
bill
allows
a
driver
to
use
a
cell
phone
while
driving
in
an
emergency
situation.
Use
of
navigation
systems
and
listening
to
music,
podcasts
or
other
audio
content
is
still
allowed,
provided
the
device
is
being
used
in
a
hands-free
mode.
According
to
The
Governor’s
Highway
Safety
Association,
15
states,
D.C.,
Puerto
Rico,
Guam,
and
the
U.S.
Virgin
Islands
prohibit all
drivers from
using
hand-held
cell
phones
while
driving.
(SF
837)
More
MNLARS
business
in
committee
The
Senate
Transportation
Committee
grappled
this
week
with
how
the
state
should
pay
for
costs
related
to
the
Minnesota
Licensing
and
Registration
System
(MNLARS),
the
software
that
manages
Minnesotans’
vehicle
registrations,
titles,
and
driver’s
licenses.
Since
the
rollout
of
MNLARS
in
July,
the
system
has
been
plagued
with
errors
that
have
caused
vehicle
registration
and
titling
headaches
for
Minnesotans
and
caused
losses
for
the
business
owners
who
operate
deputy
registrar
offices
throughout
the
state.
Governor
Dayton
has
proposed
a
$2
fee
on
most
driver
and
vehicle
services
transactions
that
will
provide
ongoing
funding
to
permanently
fix,
maintain,
and
update
MNLARS.
He
has
also
proposed
$10
million
go
to
deputy
registrars
to
reimburse
them
for
costs
incurred
since
July
2017
due
to
difficulties
they
have
encountered
with
MNLARS,
including
overtime
costs
and
lost
business.
The
Governor
also
proposed
$10.76
million
to
fund
the
beleaguered
public
information
call
center,
which
provides
assistance
to
Minnesotans
having
difficulty
with
driver
and
vehicle
services
transactions.
(SF
3967)
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