The 2019 legislative session is moving quickly! With week three nearly behind us, committee work is quickly ramping up as we begin the process of assembling the 2019-2020 state budget.

As always, if you’re at the Capitol, please let me know! I’d love to meet you and hear your concerns on the many issues facing the legislature this year. Otherwise, please feel free to contact me at any time. My contact information is below.

Town hall meetings scheduled

I’m holding two town hall meetings in February, where I will be joined by state Rep. Bob Dettmer to meet constituents, hear your concerns, and give a brief legislative update. Town hall meetings are an excellent opportunity for constituents to interact with legislators and discuss issues while the legislature is in session. I’d love to see you there!

• Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m.: The first town hall meeting will be held in Stillwater at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13 at the Stillwater Public Library (224 Third Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082). Attendees can park free of charge in the library parking ramp and take the elevator up to the Margaret Rivers Room on the upper level (UL).
• Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m.: A second town hall meeting will be held in Forest Lake at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20 at Forest Lake Area High School (6101 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025). Attendees can park in the student lot located at Highway 97 and Goodview Avenue, then enter the high school through Door 1. The meeting will be held in the high school media center.

First committee hearing

Earlier this week, we had our first Senate Family Care and Aging Committee hearing, which I chair. We heard an update from the health commissioner on the progress and recommendations of the elder care working group, which met this summer and fall to develop a consensus on how to move forward with elder care reforms. We will hear the first piece of elder care legislation – electronic monitoring – on Wednesday morning.

‘Patients First’

The Senate Republican majority announced a series of innovative ideas designed to reduce health care costs and cut through the red tape to give consumers better choices and more say in their own care. The proposals would also bring consumers reasonable alternatives to expensive health insurance plans, cut out the ‘middleman’, and eliminate anti-competitive practices that have led to higher health care and prescription drug costs for consumers.

The proposals include:

• Direct Primary Care: Creates a flexible new way for doctors and patients to work together without the insurance middleman. Direct Primary Care often includes unlimited office visits, faster scheduling, more time spent with your doctor, and low, flat rates.
• ‘Right to Shop’: Gives patients the right to shop around for the best value for their health care dollar, even if the doctor or clinic is out-of-network.
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Eliminates any doubt that Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions are protected.
• Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) reform: Provides transparency and accountability for PBMs, which are middlemen many consumers don’t even realize exist between them, their doctor, and their pharmacy. The proposed reforms include the licensure of PBMs, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and a requirement to expand pharmacy networks so patients have access to local pharmacies no matter where they live in the state.

The proposals will receive committee consideration over the course of the session.

Legislation introduced

• Senate File 579: Funding for the Gateway Trail from William O’Brien State Park in Scandia
• Senate File 541: Enhanced penalties for individuals convicted of assaulting firefighters and medical personnel in the line of duty
• Senate File 470: Funding for the Highway 36/Manning Avenue interchange
• Senate File 417: Legislation to designate Highway 95 through West Lakeland Township, Bayport, and Oak Park Heights as ‘Joseph Gomm Memorial Highway’, in honor of MCF-Stillwater Officer Joseph Gomm, who was killed in the line of duty
• Senate File 281: Funding for grants to independent living centers, particularly for veterans
• Senate File 155: Modifications to licensure requirements for family and group childcare providers
• Senate File 11: Changes to state law to allow residents and families to use electronic monitoring in resident rooms at nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Senate File 8: The ‘Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019’
• Senate File 2: Family and group childcare provider licensure and administration changes

‘Guardian of Small Business’ award

I was honored to receive the ‘Guardian of Small Business’ award from NFIB Minnesota. The award is given to legislators who are supportive of small businesses and the challenges they face each day. The award is based on votes taken during the 2017-2018 legislative sessions. I’m proud to have been a strong supporter of legislation benefiting small businesses, including:

• A significant small-business property tax reduction that reduced taxes for the smallest businesses by 20 percent to 30 percent.
• A $1 million increase to the estate tax exemption.
• A 25 percent reduction in health insurance premiums in 2017 for those who purchase insurance from the individual market.

Social media

You’re invited to follow me on social media! Be sure to follow me on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for the latest news from the Capitol and District 39. You’ll find legislative updates, constituent photos, events, video updates, and more. Check it out!