 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Sign up for LWVMN E-News: |
LWVMN Capitol Letter™Volume XXXV Issue 4, February 27, 2009The Capitol Letter™ is a report of the activities of the LWVMN volunteer lobbyists. It is published approximately every two weeks during the Legislative Session. Printable PDF Version
EducationLWVMN Position: All Minnesota children should have equal access to a good public education. State funding for education should be at a level that makes programs of comparable substance and quality available to all. A student’s access to a good education should not depend on the wealth of his or her school district. Kay Kessel, lobbyist, (612) 926-1387 There are so many proposals floating around the Capitol, this might as well be titled – Odds and Ends in Public Education. New and old legislators on the House K-12 Education Finance Division are trying to make sense of the largest deficit in Minnesota history, the federal stimulus, and the governor's budget recommendations. Norm Draper, StarTribune, February 20, 2009 reported that schools stand to gain $1.1 billion from the stimulus. To put that amount into perspective, the K-12 budget for the two-year spending cycle that ends this year is more than $14 billion. How the governor and the legislators allocate this infusion will be closely watched by all Minnesotans. Each time we are at the Capitol we see legislators listening to the superintendents, school board members, teachers, parents, and citizens who come to testify. All leaders, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) need to work together to do what is right for public education in Minnesota. In the last two weeks, the following proposals have surfaced at the Capitol:
Studies show that exercise is like a secret weapon in the war to improve test scores as well as in the war to reverse the obesity trend in children.1 Boosting students' activity levels improves their ability to learn. These studies are behind HF439, sponsored by Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-29B-Rochester), which would require statewide physical education standards, including one-half credit of physical education for high school graduation. Greg LeMond, three time winner of the Tour de France, testified on a bill on February 19 in Rep. Mariani's committee. The bill was approved and sent to the House Finance Committee. There is no Senate companion. Dr. Angie Eilers of Growth and Justice presented that organization's report titled Smart Investments in Minnesota Students2 to the Senate E-12 Education Budget Division on February 19. She said the education goal for Minnesota is to increase by 50 percent the rate of students who finish post-secondary education by 2020. This report suggests that education focus on the whole student from birth through college. Their research and analysis suggests that an annual $1 billion investment would more than pay for itself – through higher earnings for each additional graduate, increased state tax revenue from higher wages and economic growth, and lower social costs paid by taxpayers. 1 Session Weekly, "At Issue: Getting Kids to Move,” February 20, 2009 2 Smart Investments in Minnesota Students report Thanks to the House Session Daily and the Session Weekly for some of this information State Government FinanceLWVMN Position: Support of a balanced and diversified revenue system that is equitable, progressive, and reliable. Support of long-term financial management projections and a budget reserve. (1995) LWVMN Position on State Government Spending: LWVMN believes that the highest priority areas for state spending are the following: (1) K-12 (regular) education; (2) Health Care; (3) Environmental protection.... Laura Fredrick Wang, LWVMN Legislative Coordinator, (651) 224-5445 Erasing the state's budget deficit got a bit easier for legislators and the governor with the passage by the U.S. Congress of President Barack Obama's $787 economic stimulus package. Just how much easier remains to be seen as officials wait to hear how much of the Economic Reinvestment and Recovery act funds will be coming to Minnesota. Estimates range between $2-4 billion in direct appropriations to the state's coffers. Although an outspoken critic of the stimulus package, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) moved quickly to ready Minnesota to receive its share of the funds, appointing Office of Management and Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson to oversee the process. One big question that has been asked at the Legislature is how much of the governor's budget will need to be rewritten if Minnesota is to be eligible for its full share of appropriations; some of the shifts proposed by Gov. Pawlenty in health and human services and in education could make Minnesota ineligible for funds. Although there is no doubt that this will be a significant help to lawmakers as they seek to close what is now an approximately $5 billion deficit, it is important to remember that this is one-time funding for Minnesota. This money is helpful for projects like building new infrastructure where it is a one-time cost; it does nothing to address the growing regressivity or the volatility of Minnesota's tax system. Programs cannot be built or maintained using one-time funds. Legislators and the governor need to remain sensitive to these problems and the issues raised by the Budget Trends Study Commission, detailed in previous Capitol Letters™. If the stimulus package led anyone to experience optimism about the road ahead in solving the budget deficit, is will likely be short-lived. State Economist Tom Stinson will release the update budget forecast on March 3. Nobody is expecting good news – most of us are bracing to hear that the deficit has reached $7 billion. As the problem gets worse, it is harder to think of how lawmakers will be able to solve this crisis without using all of the tools available to them. This must include raising revenue as a part of the solution. In the meantime, legislative leaders traveled across Minnesota to hear from citizens in town hall meetings about the budget. Citizens in every community stepped up to give their input about what is important to consider in balancing the budget. We heard from many LWVMN members that they attended these forums. Perhaps one of us had the $5-7 billion idea that could bring this all into alignment! We will be working with local LWVMN chapters to make it easier for you to have your voice heard in this debate. It is critical that LWVMN principles influence this process. Election LawLWVMN Position: Support of improvements in election laws regulating election procedures, voting and school district elections. Gwen Myers, Action Committee Chair, (952) 545-8696 The photo ID saga reached a climax in the House on February 12 when it was heard in the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee. HF57, sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer (R-19B-Delano) and Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-16B-Big Lake), would require registered voters to provide a valid driver's license, state identification card or, for those who have neither, a voter identification card before receiving a ballot. The authors contend that this bill is necessary to give voters confidence in the integrity of Minnesota's elections, though neither answered in the affirmative when asked whether they, themselves, believed that the integrity of our election system was compromised or how a photo identification requirement would improve our election system. As noted in the last Capitol Letter™, voter fraud is essentially nonexistent in Minnesota. Dr. David Schultz of Hamline University testified on his extensive research on this point. Perhaps even more powerful was Secretary of State Mark Ritchie's testimony. He has spoken with the majority of election officials throughout the state in the last three months and searched the records at the Office of the Secretary of State (OSS) and found that there is no record – ever – of voter impersonation, the only type of voter fraud that the photo ID would address.  LWVMN Executive Director Keesha Gaskins testifies on HF57 LWVMN Executive Director Keesha Gaskins testified against the bill, pointing out that implementing the bill would be costly and would complicate the voting process, and noting that it is completely unnecessary expense. The real problems with our election system highlighted by our still ongoing senatorial contest, said Ms. Gaskins, are all a result of complicated systems that allow many opportunities for human error. "HF57 spends money Minnesota does not have, in order to fix a problem that does not exist, while ignoring the real issues surrounding Minnesotan's election challenges," she stated in conclusion. Those who testified in favor of HF57 did not actually concern the contents of the bill. The focus of their testimony was the same-day registration process rather than the requirement that registered voters produce a photo ID. Proponents of the bill packed the hearing room wearing stickers proclaiming their support for "election integrity." The facts presented by Dr. Schultz and Secretary Ritchie apparently did not convince them as a couple stopped Ms. Gaskins and other LWVMN members outside the hearing room to explain their position. One individual made it clear that voter fraud was not her concern, shouting at us as we departed that she "did not want those people voting" several times to reinforce her point. HF57 was defeated by the committee on an almost straight party-line vote of 11-8, with only one DFL member voting in favor. Unfortunately, Rep. Emmer and Rep. Kiffmeyer are expected to take every opportunity to amend the language of this bill on to other election bills. February 12 was a big day for election law. A number of bills the Office of Secretary of State (OSS) has been working on were introduced in the Senate. Among those LWVMN will probably be supporting are the following:
 Sen. Katie Sieben discusses legislation with the LWVMN Action Committee Among other bills that LWVMN will support are SF853, sponsored by Sen. Sieben, which allows absentee voting without an excuse, and SF564/HF881, sponsored by Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-67-Saint Paul) and Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-58B-Minneapolis), which restores civil rights to felons upon release from incarceration. LWVMN will oppose SF387, sponsored by Sen. Mike Jungbauer (R-48-East Bethel), which removes the requirement for a manual recount of ballots when elections are close enough to require a recount; the recount would mean a "recount using electronic voting systems of all ballots that were counted during the original count of votes…." Judicial SelectionLWVMN Position: (a) Initial appointment to judgeship by the governor, who must choose from among a list of candidates forwarded by a nominating commission. (b) End-of-term evaluation of the judge's performance by an evaluation commission, results to be made public. (c) Retention election: voters choose to retain or not retain the judge. (2008) Helen Palmer, lobbyist, (612) 377-5972 LWVMN supports SF70, a bill that proposes a constitutional amendment establishing retention elections for judges and creating judicial performance evaluation commissions. A hearing has been scheduled for the bill on Thursday, February 26, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. LWVMN will testify in support of the bill. A number of LWVMN members have called, emailed or visited committee members to ask them to support the bill: this has made a difference, and I thank you very much. SF70 is authored by Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-45-New Hope) and co-authors include Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-67-Saint Paul), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. An amendment to drop the district court judges from this bill may be proposed. LWVMN's position calls for merit selection, retention elections, and evaluation for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and district court judges. This is by far the best way to keep partisan politics and money out of judicial elections, all of them. However, the district court judges officially oppose the bill, so this amendment will generate considerable interest. The companion bill in the House (HF224), authored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-44A-Saint Louis Park), has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. The bill has been forwarded to the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL-31A-Winona). So stay tuned! Reproductive HealthLWVUS Position: Protect the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. (1983) LWVMN Position: Support prevention efforts to lower the rate of teenage pregnancy. (1988) Doris Grimes, intern lobbyist The After-School Community Learning Opportunities Act (SF855/HF378) outlines how the State of Minnesota can make investments in after-school community-learning opportunities that leverage public, private and personal contributions. Studies show that teens engaged in after school programs are less likely to become young parents. Together these shared investments become part of a more comprehensive solution ensuring all children and youth learn, grow and develop beyond the class room. Please contact the authors of the bill, Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-53-White Bear Lake) and Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-55B-Maplewood) and thank them for supporting continued investment in Minnesota youth during challenging economic times. On Wednesday, February 11, the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee heard HF550. The author of this legislation, Rep. Maria Ruud (DFL-42A-Minnetonka), has developed a broad prevention package that would address unintended pregnancy prevention and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. The bill includes legislative language on responsible sex education. The bill passed out of that committee and was re-referred to the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee. The Senate companion, SF273 authored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-54-Roseville), has passed out of the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee and been re-referred to the Senate Education Committee. A similar bill passed last year, but was withdrawn when Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) threatened to veto a whole education omnibus bill unless this provision was removed. SAFPlan (Statewide Association for Family Planning) reports that Gov. Pawlenty proposed cutting family-planning special projects (FPSP) grants more than 19%. Meanwhile, he proposed NO cut for "Positive Alternatives" programs which do not present all options to pregnant women. FPSP serves approximately 27,000 low-income women across the state who are hardest hit by our economic crisis. Part of the rationale for this cut is that many low-income women are served by the Minnesota Family Planning program. However, many women do not qualify for that program as they need to document that they are employed, US citizens and much more. Also, the reimbursement for the program is so low that few private clinics participate and nonprofit clinics barely stay afloat. Sixty percent of women in need of family planning services would not receive them if it were not for public funding. According to new data from the Guttmacher Institute, Minnesota FPSP grants are more efficient than those in other states. For each $1.00 Minnesota cuts from FPSP, we can expect $5.50 in birth related expenses for unplanned pregnancies. Contact your state representative and senator and tell them we need to fully fund family planning and sex education despite significant and disproportionate cuts proposed by the governor. EnvironmentLWVUS Position: Natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem and to protect public health. Gwen Myers, Action Committee Chair, (952) 545-8696 Sulfide (Nonferrous) MiningGiven the furious response of Iron Range legislators to the introduction of our bill last week, it bears repeating that the goals of the Safe Mining Coalition are (1) to protect Minnesota from a potential environmental disaster due to acid mine drainage without prohibiting sulfide or nonferrous mining, and (2) to protect Minnesota taxpayers from being stuck with the bill for cleaning up an environmental disaster in the heart of our northern lake country. Please see the Jan. 15 Capital Letter™ for a description of the issue. Our bill was introduced into each house on February 19. HF916, sponsored by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-66B-Saint Paul),1 and SF845, sponsored by Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-38-Eagan),2 would put new restrictions and requirements on non-ferrous mining operations in Minnesota that aim to help Minnesota avoid the negative effects seen in other states, described in the Jan. 15 Capital Letter™. In order to receive a mining permit, the legislation would require two things: (1) the mining companies must create a fund equal to the cost of cleanup were they to cease operations; and (2) the mining company must establish that when the mine closes, water flowing through the site will not need to be treated before emptying into Minnesota waters. PolyMet Mining Corp. and legislators from the Iron Range maintain that requirements in the bill essentially constitute a ban on non-ferrous mining, denying northern Minnesota thousands of jobs. David Tomassoni (DFL-5-Chisholm) agrees with PolyMet that demonstrating that water treatment would not be required after the mine's closure is too restrictive and threatens Range mining operations.3 He believes Minnesota's mining laws are already adequate to protect the environment and the taxpayer. Sen. Carlson, a retired mechanical engineer, has said he will be interested to hear the companies' technical arguments on why the bill constitutes a ban. At this point, he believes that if the companies cannot comply, then the threat of pollution is too great.4 The Safe Mining coalition has a steep hill to climb if this bill is to get serious consideration. A phone call or email to your senator and representative would be helpful. Trails and Off-Highway VehiclesThe Traditional Forest Use Coalition's chief lobbyist John Curry of Audubon Minnesota has now met with over 70 legislators, acquainting them with Audubon's legislative agenda. This agenda includes the OHV issue, so legislators know we are around. Other members of the coalition have also been meeting with individual legislators specifically on the OHV issue. We hope to have three of the four short bills described in the February 11 Capital Letter™ introduced very soon: (1) The Open Bottle Bill, prohibiting ATV riding in our state forests with an open bottle; (2) The Closed Ditch Bill, encouraging counties to close the ditches along their roads to prevent erosion, preserve wildlife, and protect private driveways that cross these ditches; and (3) The Trespassing Bill, extending statewide the metro requirement that one get permission from the owner of private property before riding an OHV on his/her property. Mr. Curry has spoken with a number of legislators about authoring our bills, including Sen. Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-50-Fridley), Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-60-Minneapolis), Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-64B-Saint Paul) and Rep. John Persell (DFL-04A-Bemidji). We hope to have more to report in the next Capitol Letter™. Clean CarsLWVUS Position: Support… mandatory energy conservation measures and policies to reduce energy demand…. LWVMN Position: Support measures to reduce air pollution from vehicular and stationary sources. Sally Sawyer, lobbyist, (612) 379-7199 The Minnesota Clean Car Act, HF690, authored by Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-47B-Brooklyn Park), was heard on February 19 by the House Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division, chaired by Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-60B-Minneapolis), and passed in a 9-6 vote5. The bill was referred to the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. Kent Eken (DFL-02A-Twin Valley), and is on the March 3 agenda. The bill requires the state to adopt stricter tailpipe emission standards for cars, light duty trucks and SUVs, thereby cutting smog and soot-forming pollution and helping Minnesota achieve its global warming pollution reduction goals. HF690 is a priority of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), a coalition of over 90 environmental organizations, and Clean Energy Minnesota, a statewide coalition of groups “working to advance sound policy solutions to limit and substantially reduce Minnesota's global warming pollution over time.” There is major opposition to the establishment of a clean car standard from oil and car manufacturers as well as from the ethanol industry. A representative of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association claimed that states with clean car emission standards have limited the availability of flex-fuel vehicles and have hurt the production of ethanol. Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-30B-Plainview) presented information at the committee hearing that disproved this contention. The Senate version of the Clean Car Bill, SF674, is scheduled for its first hearing in front of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee, chaired by Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7-Duluth) on Thursday of next week. Sen. Prettner-Solon, according to John Tuma, lobbyist for MEP, “has been on a tireless campaign to identify areas where Minnesota must make steps forward in reaching our global warming pollution reduction goals.” 1 Co-sponsors: Rep. Denny McNamara (R-57B-Hastings); Rep. Marsha Swails (DFL-56B-Woodbury); Rep. Bev Scalze (DFL-54B-Little Canada); Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-62B-Minneapolis) 2 Co-sponsors: Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-21-New Ulm); Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-66-Saint Paul); Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-60-Minneapolis); Sen. John Marty (DFL-54-Roseville) 3 Mesabi Daily News Online, "Sen. Tomassoni blasts legislation targeting mining," February 20, 2009 4 The Star Tribune, "Minn. lawmakers look at new mining restrictions," Elizabeth Dunbar, February 20, 2009 5 Supporting: Reps. Hornstein and Hortman, Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-58B-Minneapolis), Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-66B-Saint Paul), Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-01B-Crookston), Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL-38A-Eagan), Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-23A-Saint Peter), Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-41B-Edina) and Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-30B-Plainview) Opposing: Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-21B-Nelson Township), Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-18B-Grove City), Rep. Greg Davids (R-31B-Preston), Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-32B-Maple Grove), Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-36A-Lakeville) and Rep. Carol McFarlane (R-53B-White Bear Lake). Land Use and TransportationLWVUS supports comprehensive long-range planning; wise decision-making requires consideration of environmental, public health, social and economic impacts of proposed plans... LWVUS - Transportation: LWVUS believes that energy-efficient and environmentally sound transportation systems should afford better access to housing and jobs… LWVMN supports an overall land use plan with maximum cooperation and implementation at the regional and local level, with state help in developing and exercising land use management, with opportunity for maximum local decision-making, and with regional planning and regulation for matters of more than local concern. CMAL recognizes that increased pressures for development in the entire Twin Cities area indicate the need for a strong public voice in land-use… Sally Sawyer, lobbyist, (612) 379-7199 Central Corridor Light Rail Funding UpdateRep. Alice Hausman (DFL-66B-Saint Paul) has introduced a bonding bill (HF263) to authorize the final $8.5 million, one percent, of state funds needed to construct the 11-mile Central Corridor light rail transit line that will connect St. Paul and Minneapolis downtowns. A companion bill (SF320) is sponsored by Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-65-Saint Paul). The state has already authorized $83 million in state bonds. Federal funds will provide half of the $914.9 million for the project, with the state and Hennepin and Ramsey Counties funding the rest. The state funds must be in hand in order for the project to go forward. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has not indicated whether he will support a bonding bill this session. A possible alternative would be for the Metropolitan Council to commit funds now and return to the legislature at a later date for the funds. The House Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division has held over HF263, with possible referral to the House Capital Investment Finance Division, while the SF320 awaits action in the Senate Transportation Budget and Policy Division. At present, final design construction is to be completed this year, construction to begin next year and operation of the line to begin in 2014. It is projected that by 2030 the line will have 45,000 riders daily—which may be a conservative estimate. Rep. Hausman has also stated that by 2030 a total of 345,000 jobs will be located along the corridor, 65,000 more than at present. Source: Senate Briefly, February 20, 2009 Senate Transit Subcommittee Hearings Sally Sawyer, former LWVMN Executive Director, updates the Action Committee on transportation legislation The Senate Transportation Budget and Policy Division - Transit Subdivision , chaired by Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-60-Minneapolis), will hold two hearings in the metro area on March 4 and 5 to take testimony on both the importance of transit and resolving a severe operating budget shortfall. Metro Transit and suburban providers face the largest deficit in history: $45-60 million while transit ridership is at a 25-year high (82 million rides in 2008). Fare hikes and/or service cuts are likely without legislative action.
If you can't attend, you may email testimony to Michael Shmagin in Sen. Dibble's office Thanks to Transit for Livable Communities for this information. The bill incorporating the Building Sensible Communities1 proposal, SF549, has now passed unanimously through the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee and is expected to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dibble, addresses greenhouse gas reduction goals and strategies; the sensible communities grant program; and vehicle-miles-traveled reduction—all of which LWVMN supports. A companion bill, HF898, sponsored by Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-60B-Minneapolis), will probably begin in the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee. A representative of Fresh Energy has indicated that opposition is likely to increase as the measures move to the House and Senate Local Government committees and to floor votes. Stay tuned for action alerts. CMAL – Council of Metropolitan Area LeaguesCMAL Position: Support the Metropolitan Council as the single metropolitan agency planning and coordinating a diverse transportation system, meeting varied needs and having approval authority over this system's major capital expenditures. New funding sources should be service related. Lois Quam, lobbyist, (612) 861-2601 Peter Bell, Chair of the Metropolitan Council, gave members of the Senate Transportation Budget and Policy Division an overview of the transit portion of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment program. He said $58 million will be authorized for urbanized-area formula grants and $7 million for fixed-guideway infrastructure investment in the metro area. Potential projects under the stimulus bill include bus procurement, Metro Transit bus operating facilities, Park and Ride expansion and new transit station ramps. Mr. Bell identified some measures that could be taken to address the projected $45 million deficit in the operating budget of the metropolitan transit system through 2011. Because stimulus dollars can only be used to make infrastructure and capital investments in the transit system, the operating deficit looms as a serious problem. Methods of reducing the shortfall include alternative uses of Met Council levies, economic recovery projects and administrative interventions such as service reduction, fare increases and additional administrative efficiencies or reductions. Mr. Bell attributed part of the shortfall in operating funds to the sharp drop in the sale of automobiles which has caused Motor Vehicle Sales Tax funds to drop significantly. Over time it can be expected that these will rise again. 1 discussed in both the January 28 and February 11, 2009 issues of Capitol Letter™.  Sarah Risser and Lois Quam at a recent LWVMN Action Committee meeting Health CareLWVUS Position: A basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents…. LWVUS favors a national health insurance plan financed through general taxes in place of individual insurance premium... [and] is opposed to a strictly private market based model of financing the health care system…. (1993) Glenda Larson, lobbyist, (612) 377-3985 Two studies have been published recently about health care issues. The first is a poll that shows that public support for government-run health care has increased over the last 30 years. The CBS News/New York Times Poll released on February 1, 2009 reports that 59% of Americans say government should provide national health insurance. This is an increase from 1979 when 40% felt that the government should do that. Forty-nine percent believe that government should cover all medical problems compared to 28% in 1979. The second report is the "2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators" that is based on a health care survey of 2000 farmers and ranchers in seven Midwest states, including Minnesota. Paul Sobocinski, farmer and Land Stewardship Project organizer stated that the survey found that nearly a quarter of the farmers reported having financial problems due to the cost of health care. They spend 42% of their income on insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health care costs. They are forced to use up their savings, take off-farm employment, delay investments in their operation and still have difficulty paying their bills. One in six put off needed visits to the doctor because they could not afford the visit or did not have time off from work. When deductibles got too high, they did not go to the doctor as often as they should. Many have to buy individual insurance, which costs more and covers less. Sobocinski concludes, "Farmers have a right to decent health care that allows them to stay productive members of the community, rather than debtors staggering under the burden of crushing health care costs. We need to learn from other countries and change our health care system now, so that it is affordable, high quality and available to all." The Minnesota Health ActThis brings us to the Minnesota Health Act, which is the solution for improving our broken health care system. HF135, sponsored by Rep. David Bly (DFL-25B-Northfield) and supported by 41 representatives, will provide universal health coverage for all with private delivery of medical care. The bill will be heard on February 25 in the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-63A-Minneapolis). It is not clear if there will be enough votes to pass it out of committee. Citizens have been heavily involved lobbying committee members and thanking committee members who have signed on to the bill. There are 20 members on the committee, and one representative will be absent - Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-07A-Duluth) - so it will take 10 "yes" votes to pass. The good news in the Senate about SF118, authored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-54-Roseville), is that after passing Sen. Marty's committee, it also passed the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee 7-4 on a straight party line vote, with all the DFL members voting in favor There were so many bill supporters attending the hearing that tickets were issued for the hearing room and many had to watch the hearing on television. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Business Partnership and the Health Care Underwriters Association presented testimony opposing the bill. Testifying in favor of the bill was Sen. Marty, Take Action Minnesota, Physicians for a National Health Program and the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition, and the Metro Independent Business Alliance. The bill now goes to the Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee. ImmigrationLWVMN Position: Support incorporating immigrants into our communities by providing access to education, by endorsing the development of secure identification documents, and by respecting the right of law enforcement personnel to perform their duties without the burden of interpreting federal immigration policies. Support recognition. . . of the matricula consular as an acceptable document to prove identity for obtaining a driver's license. Oppose residents with legal immigrant status running for local office. Kathy Tomsich, lobbyist, (651) 490-1809 At the February 10th meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, two bills that LWVMN did not support were eliminated from consideration, thanks to the adroit leadership of committee chair Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-67-Saint Paul). As described in the February 11 Capitol Letter™, SF143, sponsored by Sen. Joe Gimse (R-13-Willmar), would clarify the crime of aggravated forgery for federal employment- eligibility-verification documents and increase the penalties. Sen. Moua's skillfully worded questions revealed that this is a poorly-crafted bill that could ensnare not only the undocumented, but also 16-year olds who alter their report cards and make them subject to not more than ten years in prison. Once it became obvious that most committee members did not want to rely on prosecutorial discretion to selectively apply this law, Sen. Julianne Ortman (R-34-Chanhassen) moved to table the bill. Sen. Moua had also agreed to hear Sen. Gimse's SF144, but he decided to withdraw it. SF144 would ban separation ordinances which allow local police to enforce state laws without enforcing the federal immigration laws. We do not expect to see these bills again this session. SF345/HF1005, authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-1-Plummer) and Rep. Roger Reinert (DFL-07B-Duluth), would create enhanced driver's licenses and enhanced identification cards. Ostensibly the purpose of this bill is to allow hunters and fishermen to easily cross the Canadian border - the card would be approved by the proper authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, to denote proof of identity and of citizenship. Unfortunately, the details of the bill indicate this could be a back-door way to implement the REAL ID, an unfunded federal mandate passed in 2005 that would, among other things, establish new national standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Several states have opted out of compliance with the REAL ID because it requires expensive technology that has not yet been developed and because of privacy issues. LWVUS does not have a position on a national identification card; however this issue is of great concern. Citizens and immigrants could be harmed if states implement this act using flawed data bases and insufficient technology. The Stumpf/Reinert bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee and the House Finance Committee. HF697, authored by Rep. Steve Smith (R-33A-Mound), requires law enforcement officers to record the country of citizenship and immigration status of felon arrestees. It also requires the officer to notify, within 24 hours of arrest, the U.S. immigration office if the arrestee is undocumented. There is no Senate companion. LWVMN opposes this bill based on its immigration position. First, this bill is akin to attempts to a ban on separation ordinances. Second, implementing this law could be expensive and complicated. It can be difficult to determine the country of citizenship and immigration status of individuals, especially within a 24 hour period. This would place an incredible burden on local law enforcement. The bill was referred to House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee. As you can see, this session has been a repeat of the previous one where we are constantly on guard watching for bills that target undocumented people and that can cause problems for citizens and legal immigrants. Once comprehensive immigration reform is achieved we can hope for bills that welcome immigrants, the people who will help us meet our future labor needs. FirearmsLWVUS Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons, and support the allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers. LWVMN Position: Action to support restrictions on the sale, possession and use of firearms by private parties in the state of Minnesota. Mary Lewis Grow, lobbyist, (507) 645-5378 There is a tremendous amount of activity on the gun issue this session, with proposed legislation from those supporting the gun lobby's agenda and those urging stricter oversight. Prospects for passage on all of them are uncertain: HF953: This legislation would close loopholes in existing firearm background check requirements. Current background checks before purchase of a firearm are required only on sales conducted by federally-licensed dealers, exempting sales at gun shows, over the internet, and in private transfers. The bill has been introduced in the House, sponsored by Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-64B-Saint Paul),1 and referred to the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee. The bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate, where its chief author will be Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7-Duluth). HF954: This legislation requires that records of court-adjudicated mental instability be included in data sent to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). These persons would be prohibited under state law from possessing a firearm. The inclusion of such records would have kept the Virginia Tech shooter from obtaining the firearms used in killing 32 people on that campus in April of 2007. This legislation passed Congress last year with the support of the gun lobby. The chief author is Rep. John Lesch (DFL-66A-Saint Paul).2 The bill was introduced on February 19 and referred to the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee. SF722: Sen. Ken Kelash (DFL-63-Minneapolis)3 introduced the companion bill to HF954. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An important bipartisan study by Mayors Against Illegal Guns and reported on recently in a NY Times editorial demonstrates that "states requiring the same background checks at gun shows as those required for store purchases show an export rate for guns used in crimes that's nearly half the national average." Further, "There were nearly 60 percent more gun murders in the 10 states where exports were highest than in the states with low export rates -- and nearly three times as many fatal shootings of law enforcement officers." In other words, there is a high correlation between weak gun laws and gun violence. (NY Times, 12/23/08) Proposed laws that will loosen current oversight and regulation of firearms: HF593: Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-52A-Forest Lake)4 introduced a bill extending the time period required between renewal of a permit to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed dealer from one year to five years. Companion bill in the Senate is SF584. The bill was referred to the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee. The Senate companion is SF584, sponsored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-11-Alexandria). SF582: Sen. Ingebrigtsen and Sen. Pat Pariseau (R-36-Farmington) proposed an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, Article I, providing that the right of citizens to bear arms for certain purposes is fundamental and shall not be abridged. (See LWVMN Position) The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HF128: Rep. David Dill (DFL-06A-Crane Lake) and Rep. Tony Cornish (R-24B-Good Thunder) have authored a bill that would reverse an 80-year policy making it illegal for hunters and shooters to transport loaded or uncased firearms in a vehicle. The DNR opposes the law since they believe that it "would increase the likelihood of firearms accidents and likely increase shooting from roadways and poaching." (Star Tribune, 2/23/09, article by Doug Smith, p. C 12) LWVMN's co-presidents Vivian Jenkins-Nelson and Judy Stuthman wrote a letter to Speaker of the House Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A-Minneapolis) expressing support for extending background check requirements for firearms purchases. Speaker Kelliher is a LWVMN member, and we are pleased that she is a co-sponsor of two bills that data show will make all Minnesotans safer from gun violence. 1 Co-sponsors: Rep. David Bly (DFL-25B-Northfield), Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-58B-Minneapolis), Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL-61B-Minneapolis), Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-67B-Saint Paul), Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A-Minneapolis), Rep. John Lesch (DFL-66A-Saint Paul), Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-58A-Minneapolis), Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-41B-Edina), and Rep. Maria Ruud (DFL-42A-Minnetonka), and Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-55A-North Saint Paul). 2 Co-sponsors for HF954 include Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-36A-Lakeville), Rep. Jim Abeler (R-48B-Anoka), Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-60A-Minneapolis), Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL-61B-Minneapolis), Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-55A-North Saint Paul) and Rep. Maria Ruud (DFL-42A-Minnetonka). 3 Co-sponsors: Sen. Warren Limmer (R-32-Maple Grove), Sen. John Marty (DFL-54-Roseville), Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-67-Saint Paul), and Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-3-Grand Rapids) 4 Co-sponsors: Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-28B-Wabasha), Rep. Peggy Scott (R-49A-Andover) and Rep. Ron Shimanski (R-18A-Silver Lake) |
|||||||