A weekly update, compliments of the Public Affairs Office, House Republican Caucus:

• Draining the Swamp in St Paul – House Republicans passed legislation to increase oversight and accountability of the Minnesota Stadium Financing Authority (MSFA). The bill reforms the governance structure of the MSFA and limits the use of free suites at US Bank Stadium. The bill’s passage follows numerous reports of unethical activity by MSFA members and executive staff.  Former MSFA Chair and Dayton-appointee Michele Kelm-Helgen skipped to the front of the line to buy seat licenses and season tickets for Vikings games in luxury seats. Kelm-Helgen also helped friends and family members secure rights to seats around her own. Owners of seats licenses can sell them and there is potential for those licenses to appreciate in value.

• Real ID -- In mid-February, the Minnesota House passed, on a bipartisan vote 72-58, the bill to make Minnesota REAL ID compliant. The Senate version of the bill failed in the Senate Monday, with Democrats voting unanimously against the bill because it did not provide driver’s licenses for undocumented workers.  Gov. Mark Dayton told the Pioneer Press that he wants to enable undocumented immigrants to get Minnesota driver’s licenses and he wanted the Legislature’s Real ID bill to help make that happen. Without action on REAL ID this session, Minnesota driver’s licenses will no longer be acceptable for boarding planes as soon as January of 2018.

With this year’s theme of “We the People — Reclaiming America’s Promise” we headed off for CPAC on Wednesday, February 22nd at 5 AM. Two women of Senate District 49, Kathy Frey & Barb Sutter, driving a 15-person van filled with Minnesota College Republicans! 19 hours later — shortly before 1 AM — we reached our destination, the Gaylord Conference complex in beautiful National Harbor, right outside of Washington DC.

CPAC was punctuated by youth — 1/3 to 1/2 of the attendees were college-aged, a great promise for the Republican Party. Their energy was palpable, their sheer patriotism was always on display, the intermittent music played from the stage was loud and upbeat, and the dress of the younger set? Suits & ties, and young women in dresses.

The wide, carpeted, long hallways outside of the main ballroom were always filled with people. One end was made up of “Radio Row” — where broadcasters set up their “studios” for the duration —  and political “celebrities” were everywhere. Jesse Watters and Judge Jeanine Pirro of FOX attracted crowds as they roamed through the areas with their microphones. If one didn’t see scheduled speakers on the stage — or even if you did — you’d run into them on the escalator, in the elevator, or in the Gaylord Hotel restaurants.

The campaign to decertify the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) is still moving forward.  Doug Seaton, of the law firm of Seaton, Peters, and Revnew, reported that about 5,500 signed election authorization cards had been collected.  That represents 1,000 more PCAs than voted for the union (SEIU Healthcare Minnesota) in 2014. 

This is an issue of concern for all taxpayers, since funds intended for care are instead being taken by SEIU.  MN State Senator Dan Hall has confirmed that SEIU does not pay or provide any direct benefits to PCAs.  Federal and state Medicaid/Medical Assistance funds allocate benefits for the disabled, including the PCA care stipend.  The legislature appropriates this money.  While SEIU argues that they would negotiate these payments with the state on behalf of the PCAs, any trade association for PCAs could provide the same service.  There are trade associations that are willing to play this role for a $100 a year voluntary membership.  SEIU imposes a mandatory pay deduction of 3% of the benefit payment up to $948 a year.  This represents a take of $4 to $5 million dollars from the legislated appropriations for the PCA program.

Minnesota PCAs (MNPCA) filed an election petition on December 2, 2016.  MNPCA requested that the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) schedule a new PCA election.  BMS actually dismissed that petition, ruling that MNPCA had not collected enough authorization cards.  However, its ruling did not state what quantity of cards would be required.

A February 24 weekend update, compliments of the Public Affairs Office, House Republican Caucus:

• Sunday Liquor Sales – The Minnesota House passed legislation last Monday (2/20) that would legalize the sale of liquor, beer, and wine on Sundays.  This is the first time in state history that standalone legislation on this issue has been voted on or approved.  The bill passed on a bipartisan 85-45 vote.  It now heads to the Senate for consideration

• Unlawful Demonstration Penalty –The House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee heard two bills last Wednesday (2/22) to increase the penalty to a gross misdemeanor for those who intentionally obstruct a highway, an airport, or block access to a transit system.  These bills do not limit a person’s first amendment rights.  However, they do provide for a stiffer punishment for people who decide to block a freeway, the airport, or light rail train.  Beyond being disrespectful of people’s time, such blockages are a matter of public safety.

• The House passed a bill with a bipartisan vote of 72-58 to make Minnesota compliant with the national REAL ID requirements.  Without action on REAL ID this session, Minnesota drivers’ licenses will no longer be acceptable for boarding planes as soon as January 2018.  REAL ID is a federal law passed in 2005 to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to obtain fake identification cards.  It sets standards that states must meet for their drivers’ licenses.  Some federal facilities, including military bases, have already begun to require those without compliant licenses to provide passports or other documentation in order to be admitted.

• Last Thursday (2/23), the House passed a bipartisan bill aimed at supporting Israel against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and other organizations who boycott Israel.  The legislation bars the State of Minnesota from engaging in business contracts with companies who discriminate against Israel.  Similar bipartisan bills are under consideration in the US House and Senate.  Fifteen other states have passed similar legislation.

The Bloomington City Council voted in mid-February to appoint Eldon Spencer to fill the open council seat representing District 2 in the southwest portion of the city.  The appointment will span from March to November, when the residents of District 2 will have the opportunity to vote in a special election.

Spencer campaigned for the Bloomington City Council in 2001.  Although unsuccessful in that attempt, he went on to serve on the Bloomington Planning Commission for six years, including time as its chair.  He has also been a member of the Bloomington Charter Commission. 

Our Senate District 49 Republican organization has also benefitted from Eldon Spencer’s leadership.  He has been the co-chair of Bloomington precinct 21 and a delegate/alternate to Congressional District 3 and State conventions.  Eldon intends to step down as precinct co-chair as soon as a replacement is confirmed.

Governor Dayton does not see in the Republican legislative gain any reason to moderate his spending plans for the 2018-2019.  In January, he sent to the legislature a biennial budget that calls for a $4.3 billion increase over the $41.5 billion two-year budget he signed in 2015.  This increase absorbs the current $1.4 billion surplus and demands almost $3 billion more in tax revenue.

In comparison, Minnesota’s economy grew less than 2.4% from 2014 to 2015, the last years for which economic data was publicly available.  The growth rate is projected to slow in 2017 to 2019.

What has Governor Dayton included in his budget?

• A public option for health care

• 2% increase ($371 million) in spending on education

• Another $$75 million for expanded spending on pre-Kindergarten education

• Continuation of the 2% state tax on health care providers

• An increase in the gas tax

• Increased fees for registration, hunting and fishing licenses

For more, including the reaction of Republican legislative leaders, read Anders Koskinen’s article, “So Much for a Surplus; Governor Releases Budget”, Alpha News, January 24, 2017.

The Bloomington City Council is expected to announce by February 23 their selection to fill the council seat currently vacant in District II.  The vacancy was created when Andrew Carlson (D, HD 50B) resigned following his election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. 

District II consists of eight (8) precincts in the southwest quadrant of Bloomington.   Precincts 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27 are in Senate District 49.  Precincts 13 and 26 are in Senate District 50.

The Bloomington Sun Current published on January 26 the names of the 13 applicants for the vacant District II council seat.  They are Tracy Albinson, Rod Axtell, Lori Barry, Andrea Childress, Susan “Hofmeister” Woodruff, John Moravec, Shawn Nelson, Alex Phasy, Lenny Klevan Schmitz, Christopher Seymore, Eldon Spencer, Mark Stoltz and Joel Swanson.

The Bloomington City Council will appoint their selection to fill the vacancy after reviewing applications and conducting interviews.  The appointee will fill the seat until November, when Bloomington voters in District II will vote on who fills the seat for the remainder of the term. The position pays $12,396 annually.

Are You Ready to be a SD49 Executive Committee Officer or Delegate to MN GOP State Central?

Senate District 49 will hold our 2017 convention on February 18 at the Oak Grove Middle School in Bloomington.  If you have worked for the Republican Party and feel that you want to take a leadership position within Senate District 49, please consider stepping forward as a candidate for Executive Committee officer and/or delegate to the MN GOP State Central Committee. 

Candidates should contact Barb Sutter, the chair of the Officer Nominating Committee, so interviews can be arranged before the convention.  She can be contacted at [email protected]

No nominations will be accepted the day of the convention.

 Read on for details on the SD49 Executive officer positions and expectations, as well as the State Central Committee delegate/alternate slots and expectations

SD49 celebrated National School Choice Week on January 24 by hosting Lee McGrath and Chas Anderson, representing “Opportunity for All Children”.  OAK is the premier advocacy organization in Minnesota focused solely on building grassroots support and advocating for parental choice in education for all families.  OAK's mission is to ensure that every child in Minnesota has access to an education that will help the child thrive. 

Chas Anderson stressed that while all states have concerns with the educational outcomes of African-American and Hispanic students, it is particularly acute in Minnesota.  Our state ranks at the bottom (50^th out of 50 states) in terms African-American high school graduation rates.  It ranks 49^th out of 50 states for Hispanic graduation rates.  In MN inner-city schools, graduation rates are less than 50% for these minority students.

Lee McGrath pointed out that many private high schools, whether run by religious or secular organizations, have greatly improved the educational experience of minority students, as measured through state and local assessment tests and graduation rates of 99%.  Unfortunately, the ones needing this private school opportunity are the ones who can least afford it. 

Last Thursday, January 26, the Minnesota Legislature overwhelmingly approved the Health Care Emergency Aid and Access Plan.  Passing with bipartisan support, the plan introduces the first reforms to the Minnesota health insurance marketplace and provides partial temporary relief to some who have individual health insurance or who were forced into a 2017 plan that doesn’t cover their doctor or hospital. It compassionately extends coverage with their current providers for those with treatment in-progress and those nearing end of life.

The Plan includes key Republican-led reforms that are intended to

• preserve care for those receiving life-saving treatments and

• increase competition

• increase consumer choice moving forward.

 “This is a first step in a session-long effort to address the problems created by Obamacare and MNsure,” said Susan Closmore, Director of Public Affairs, House Republican Caucus.

The bill contains measures intended to expand insurance access.  These include:  allowing employers to make pre-tax contributions that employees may use to pay for insurance, allowing for-profit HMO’s to sell plans in MN, and allowing agricultural cooperatives to offer group plans to farmers & their families.

The 25% premium relief is welcome news for those who are paying full-price for their individual policies.  The new state subsidies are available to those who bought plans directly from insurers or from MNsure (and are not getting federal subsidy). However, the premium rebates portion of the new law excludes anyone who already gets a federal subsidy for a MNsure plan, or who is getting state Medicaid assistance or who is getting insurance through their employer or Medicare.

The law puts the administrative burden and interim financing costs on the insurance companies. Insurers are required to change their 2017 premium billing to reflect the 25% discounts for eligible individuals, retroactive to January 1, then file for reimbursement from the state for those funds.  It’s expected that the revised rates/rebates will be reflected in invoices sent in April.  Insurers and doctors must also fund new continuity-of-care costs and seek state reimbursement. Continuity-of-care for 120 days (4 months) with their same doctor/hospital will be offered for pregnant women beyond their first trimester, and those already being treated for medical conditions.

Pioneer Press reporter David Montgomery summarized key information in his January 27th article. CLICK HERE to read.

And you can read more details about the law in Susan Closmore’s article here on the SD49 Website CLICK HERE