Hello Neighbor,
Over the next few weeks, I will share the legislative priorities that I am supporting in 2021. You will hear a lot of discussion about budgets and what the legislature should do for the good of Minnesotans. I believe in a common-sense approach to actions taken by the government. I believe that decisions of an elected body from across the state representing their neighbors’ interests are far more balanced than the rulemaking that comes from one person and their appointed commissioners.
In Committee
This week we continued bill hearings in Senate committees. I was fortunate to have SF182 pass out of the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee and continue its path toward becoming law. I authored this legislation to create a permanent fix for those who had not been notified during the initial rollout of the Affordable Care Act in Minnesota that a lien would be placed on their estates for any medical benefits provided. In 2017 I authored a bill HF629 that was signed into law to make sure that those liens were not executed. We have discovered that the information is still in the records of those affected. This new bill would remove the data from the Department of Human Services records so that no future legislature could revert back to collecting on this group.
Richard Rayburn of Willow River brought this issue forward and joined me to testify in favor of this bill. I was also encouraged to have the supportive written testimony of many others who were affected and were willing to share their stories.
You may read more about this from the Duluth News Tribune.
click photo above to hear the testimony on this bill
California Emissions Standards
Click here or on my photo below to hear from me on the proposal
The Governor and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) are pushing forward with their attempt to implement California Emissions Standards on Minnesotans without any legislative input. This doesn’t just mean more expensive cars for all Minnesotans. It threatens people’s livelihoods. The standards impact construction trucks, tractors, and even electric coops diesel generators kicking our economy when it’s down while having a destructive impact across Minnesota communities with little to no environmental gain.
If adopted, the California Emission Standards will rattle Minnesota’s economy, raising transportation costs for lower-income residents and disproportionally hurting rural and border communities. Data suggests that new vehicles’ demand will drop 7.1% and that Minnesotans can expect to pay $800-$2,500 more per vehicle, not just on EVs.
The “proposed benefit” of the rules also seems questionable based on data from Minnesota and across the nation. Without adopting the standards, MnDOT’s forecast shows that gasoline usage has already hit its peak and is projected to decline exponentially in the future. Furthermore, states like Pennsylvania, which already have adopted the standards, have a smaller percentage of EVs than Minnesota.
This data suggests that Minnesota’s market is already moving towards cleaner and more efficient cars, with more models hitting lots yearly. Like the energy industry, consumers seem to be determining the trend with demand as EVs become more affordable and the technology becoming more accessible. Unfortunately, using their rulemaking power, the MPCA and Governor do not offer any financial incentive to consumers, expecting Minnesota families to front the bill.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has begun hosting public information sessions in the agency’s effort to impose the California Car Mandate on Minnesotans. In addition to conducting a public information session on Tuesday, the MPCA will be holding another one Wednesday, and additional sessions are scheduled for February 2. You can find more information for them at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/clean-cars-mn-rulemaking.
Governor’s proposed budget
On Tuesday, the Governor announced his proposed two-year budget. The budget has a price tag of $52.4 billion in spending and calls for $1.64 billion in new taxes on Minnesotans. It is the largest budget in Minnesota history.
I don’t agree with the Governor’s proposals. COVID-19 has had a disastrous effect on this state. The pandemic has hampered our economy and based on the most recent projection, our state is now facing a substantial budget shortfall. As our state works to get back on track, we cannot afford the Governor’s proposed tax increases or increased government spending without any sign of reform.
Minnesotans have already been through enough, and a tax increase on working families is a non-starter. To get back on track, we need to re-open Minnesota and look inward for reform. Together, we can responsibly set Minnesota up for the future.
I hope that any federal COVID stimulus money that Minnesota receives goes to relief for residents and businesses. That money will not be available long term, and irresponsibly putting it towards new programs sets Minnesota up for future disaster.
2021 Minnesota Priorities:
Recover from COVID, keep life affordable, support families
View the release and videos online
Re-opening Minnesota
Businesses across the state have made incredible sacrifices to open safely. Our priority in Senate File 1 says that businesses with safety plans already in place may open up with no restrictions from outside forces. The Governor should not have the power to open and close small businesses at his will, it should be only be exercised temporarily when a business is a proven source of spread. Our bill is a tool to peel back the restrictions unilaterally placed on Minnesotans and hopefully bring our state back to the booming economy it was before the pandemic struck.
Re-opening schools
The Governor’s executive orders closing schools have been among his most questioned of the outbreak. There is overwhelming evidence that the danger of keeping schools closed far outpaces the risk of bringing students back into classrooms. Senate Republicans will protect a student’s right to a great education at all times by removing any governor’s authority to close schools or alter school schedules via executive order. The decision on how and when to re-open should not be made from the Governor’s office. It should come from local school boards and community leaders. They are the ones who know what is best for their students.
Stay in touch
I’d like to remind residents that I am always available to answer your questions or concerns. Please email me anytime at sen.jason.rarick@senate.mn or call my office in St. Paul at 651-296-1508.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you in the Minnesota Senate!