tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82932130993866117522024-03-13T23:14:00.579-05:00Representative Erin Murphy, St. Paul, 64AErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-59557455137295212372011-04-01T11:43:00.002-05:002011-04-01T11:46:13.112-05:00Ways to Follow my Legislative Work OnlineFor the time being I will be using web-based methods other than my legislative blog to keep you informed with my work at the State Capitol to represent District 64A and our state. Here are some of the other ways you can continue to receive updates from me on the web. <br /><br />Follow me on twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/epmurphy">www.twitter.com/epmurphy</a> <br /><br />Sign up for my regular legislative electronic updates at my House of Representatives website: <a href="http://www.house.mn/64a">www.house.mn/64a </a><br /><br />And as always, feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, comments or ideas. <br /><br />Erin<br /><br />State Rep. Erin Murphy <br />345 State Office Building<br />100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.<br />Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155<br />651-296-8799 <br />E-mail: rep.erin.murphy@house.mnErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-67909118241638879562011-01-26T13:03:00.002-06:002011-01-26T14:35:39.724-06:00GOP Agenda Lacks Focus on Jobs<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqpxf8Pb753DZ-OOGP8A731ogKRqbJagcuKmPnGIl9xOiPVC0tyaMPEu405LarNcVas3W97qNoYCv8tZqw6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />House Republicans are moving forward with “Phase 1” of their plan to balance the budget. Unfortunately, they are moving forward without much public input and without much consideration of how their cuts will affect Minnesotans. <br /><br />An example of the lack of input or thoughtful decision making came in our Health Care Committee last week. We had less than 24 hours to study this proposal that cut $71 million, affecting seniors and children. Even the new Republican Speaker of the House in Congress, John Boehner pledged support for a 72 hour period for legislators and members of the public to read and review legislation.<br /><br />This video attached are my comments about the cuts in this bill to child protection services will shift an unfair burden onto our counties that will end up asking property tax payers to foot the bill. <br /><br />In addition to this irresponsible budget plan, we are beginning to get a more complete look at the GOP agenda. Just in the past few weeks we have seen press conferences and bill introductions from the Republicans on voter ID, constitutional amendments related to guns, English as our official state language, repealing the Next Generation Energy Act, job cuts and wage freezes, and more. <br /><br />What strikes me most is the absence of legislation that will create jobs and support working families. On the first day of session Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers said job creation would be the top priority. To date their rhetoric has simply not rung true.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-6313484861160094562011-01-19T17:21:00.000-06:002011-01-19T17:22:56.170-06:00State Legislators Speak Out on Affordable Care Act RepealAs Congress considers legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act, it’s critical we consider what is at stake. Today the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/19/state-legislators-what-theyre-saying-about-affordable-care-act">White House released a snapshot</a> of what legislators are saying about “repeal” efforts from across the country. Here are my comments as well as those of others: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Minnesota Representative Erin Murphy:</span><br /><br />“Repealing the Affordable Care Act means repealing affordable coverage for Minnesotans with preexisting conditions like asthma or diabetes. It means repealing consumer protections that protects an insured family from unfair premium increases. It means bringing back the prescription drug donut hole that prices seniors citizens out of the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy… Repealing the Affordable Care Act represents a fatal step backwards and the consequence is a less stable, more costly health care system for Minnesotans.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Minnesota Representative Tom Huntley:</span><br /><br />“Every day, Minnesotans are coming to appreciate the Affordable Care Act more and more. Adult children are being offered coverage on their parents’ policy, seniors are getting help with the costly donut hole, and small businesses are adding jobs because the tax credit is helping them provide health coverage.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch:</span><br /><br />“Before they vote, they need to think about the Iowa mother who can now get coverage for her 3-year old son who has severe asthma, a pre-existing condition; the Iowa cancer survivor who now no longer has to worry his insurance company will cut off his coverage due to an arbitrary lifetime limit; and, the tens of thousands of young Iowa men and women who now can get coverage on their parents’ health care plan.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Texas Representative Garnet F. Coleman:</span><br /><br />“It's telling that just weeks after taking office, Republicans in Congress have made it a priority to change current law to take away Americans' healthcare rights and allow insurance companies to drop someone from coverage if they develop a catastrophic illness like cancer. The Republican repeal would add billions to our national deficit and would have very real and drastic consequences on Texas families.”Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-45202997680722504942011-01-12T14:53:00.002-06:002011-01-12T14:59:12.201-06:00Early MA is good deal for all MinnesotansLast week I joined Governor Dayton in his reception room for the signing of his executive order to enroll Minnesota in early Medical Assistance (MA). It was the next step in what has been a long and ongoing journey to provide health care in a cost-effective manner for all Minnesotans. <br /><br />Many people attended the signing and Governor Dayton allowed both supporters and opponents of early MA to voice their opinions. It was a refreshing display of democracy in action, which is why many news outlets spent a good deal of time discussing his remarkable decision to open his office to the people. <br /><br />Along with appreciating Governor Dayton’s openness, I would like to highlight some the positive outcome for Minnesotans that his decision to enroll Minnesota in early MA. I’d also like to highlight some of the Republican myths you may have heard about early MA: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Health care for 95,000 Minnesotans</span><br />Covers 95,000 uninsured or underinsured Minnesotans who earn less than $8,000 per year with basic health care by capturing federal resources at no additional cost to the state.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Creates as many as 20,000 Minnesota Jobs </span><br />Provides more than $1 billion in additional payments to Minnesota’s health care workforce, hospitals and care providers who have been hit hard by past cuts. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Reduces the hidden tax on working families </span><br />Minnesota families pay a $1,500 hidden tax to cover the uninsured. Reducing unpaid care for 95,000 Minnesotans will significantly reduce that hidden tax for working families. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eases strain on state budget deficit </span><br />Captures federal resources and provides care more cost effectively to SAVE the state $32 million next biennium and $233 million over five years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Broad support from health care, businesses, and faith community </span><br />MA enrollment is supported by hospitals, nurses, seniors, business leaders, and faith organizations and more. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dispelling Republican Myths</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Don’t be fooled by “Tea Party” rhetoric </span><br />MA is not a radical form of “Obamacare.” It was created in 1965 as a federal/state partnership to provide basic health care to seniors, low-income, and the disabled. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MA enables us to move forward with cost saving reforms </span><br />MA does not “end” reform. To the contrary, MA retains innovative reforms passed in 2008 like health care homes, providing additional opportunities to reduce health care costs. <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Authority to enroll Minnesota in MA passed bipartisanly</span><br />Dozens of legislative Republicans including the new Speaker of the House, Kurt Zellers, voted for the bill signed into law by Governor Pawlenty that authorized early MA enrollment. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Work Ahead</span><br /><br />Medical Assistance has long provided health coverage for low income seniors, disabled Minnesotans and low income families with children. The majority of the Medicaid budget is spent for the care of seniors and the disabled. <br /><br />To tackle the cost trajectory in the years ahead, we must continue to pursue delivery and payment reforms across the system.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-84564058740188743342011-01-06T11:16:00.002-06:002011-01-06T12:08:11.336-06:00And So it Begins...Mighty Citizens, <br /><br />The 2011 legislative session began on Tuesday with my colleagues and me taking the oath of office. Raising my right hand and getting sworn in to return as your state representative was both humbling and inspiring. I am eager to get to work on the important challenges facing our community and state. <br /><br />I am firmly committed to solutions that will create jobs, grow our economy for the future, and reaching a fairly balanced budget. That means <span style="font-weight:bold;">protecting middle class families from steep property tax increases, college tuition hikes and damaging cuts to our schools. </span>In the days leading up to the session new Republican leaders signaled they will put forward a budget that protects education, Minnesotans with disabilities, seniors, and public safety. I look forward to seeing the specifics of this plan and putting it through close examination so that Minnesotans know the true impact for their families and future. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I would love to see you this session,</span> so please visit at my new office at 345 State Office Building. For those following the House committees you can also visit the three committees I will be serving on this session: Health and Human Services Finance, Health and Human Services Reform, and Rules and Legislative Administration. <br /><br />Changes will mark the beginning of the legislative session. We have our first DFL Governor in about twenty years in Mark Dayton and have new Republican majorities in the Minnesota House and Senate. However, it will be how we respond to these changes that will mark the conclusion of the legislative session and ultimately the direction of our state. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">It’s time to get to work. </span><br /><br />Thank you for the opportunity to serve.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-13840410403475433862010-06-17T17:39:00.001-05:002010-06-17T17:40:45.755-05:00Hopeful News on Job CreationMinnesota received <a href="http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/Press_Releases/June_17_-_State_Unemployment_Drops_to_7_Percent.aspx">hopeful economic news</a> today about our continued recovery. In May we created 5,600 jobs according to the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This is the first time since 2008 we’ve seen two consecutive months of job growth.<br /><br />Since the low point of the recession in September of 2009, we have created over 34,200 jobs. The road to recovery will be long, and not without setbacks, but it’s clear Minnesota is finally moving in the right direction.<br /><br />Minnesotans are also making their way back to a full work week, an important economic indicator for a healthy economy. The average week increased to 33.1 hours. That is a boost from the 32.7 hours in January 2010.<br /><br />Legislation we passed this session will help accelerate our recovery. Our bonding will put thousands of construction jobs across many different sectors. New workers will help improve our infrastructure and encourage entrepreneurship throughout Minnesota.<br /><br />It will take time for our economy back to recover fully, but we’re on our way. We need to continue being proactive at the state level and pursue innovative reforms to create jobs and build our new economy for a successful future.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-39322941394774283662010-06-09T16:34:00.002-05:002010-06-09T16:41:55.822-05:00Learn how small businesses can take advantage of federal health care reformThe crushing cost of health insurance for small businesses was one of the driving forces for federal health care reform. Now that it’s law, it’s important for small business owners to know how they will be affected by reforms to address cost, unpredictable premiums, and lack of access to affordable choices. <br /><br />The Small Business Majority (a non-partisan national non-profit organization created by small business owners) has released <a href="http://smallbusinessmajority.org/_docs/resources/SBM_whats_in_it_for_small_biz.pdf">helpful information</a> for small business owners to understand how federal health care reform will impact them. <br /><br />They have also created a <a href="http://smallbusinessmajority.org/tax-credit-calculator/">Small Business Calculator</a> where small business owners can calculate the tax credit they will receive by offering health insurance to their employers <br /><br />Here are a few of the significant ways federal health care reform will support small businesses: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lower costs</span><br /><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Small business tax credits</span> - Creates a $40 billion tax credit from 2010 to 2019, providing approximately 4 million small businesses with a tax credit to offset employer health plan costs. <br /><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cost containment</span> - Creates a small business health pool to spread risk and eliminates cost shifts that add to hidden tax passed on to everyone’s care when the uninsured seek expensive treatment in emergency rooms. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">More choices</span><br /><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Simplified options</span> - Provides small businesses, including the self-employed, a new option for a simplified cafeteria plan to provide tax-free benefits to employees.<br /><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Temporary High-Risk Pool</span> - Creates a temporary high-risk pool in 2010, funded with $5 billion, to allow individuals who have been uninsured for six months and have a preexisting condition to buy affordable comprehensive coverage. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Insurance reforms <br /></span><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Preexisting conditions</span> - Prohibits medical screening for health conditions and makes it unlawful to deny coverage for preexisting conditions for serious health conditions.<br /><br />• <span style="font-weight:bold;">Oversight on premium increases</span> - Establishes new processes for federal and state review of premium increases. Among other things, states may recommend that insurers not be allowed to participate in the exchanges due to unreasonable premium increases.<br /><br />For more information visit www.smallbusinessmajority.orgErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-40539778479870366692010-06-08T22:02:00.002-05:002010-06-08T22:05:49.231-05:00GAMC: A Bridge to Comprehensive Care and System ReformAfter many months of negotiation and debate, we were successful in negotiating an agreement that maintains health care coverage for current GAMC enrollees. However, there are significant problems with the compromise agreement. With the passage of the federal health care reform bill, we have the opportunity to provide comprehensive, statewide coverage to very low-income Minnesotans through an early opt-into Medical Assistance (MA). The compromise law on GAMC is a critical bridge to a better option.<br /> <br />Our first legislative solution, Senate File 2168, was undoubtedly the most fiscally-responsible means of restoring health care coverage to GAMC recipients, while still instituting system reforms and cost-cutting measures. Although Governor Pawlenty’s proposal to auto-enroll GAMC enrollees into Minnesota Care would have been more expensive and would have imposed additional costs and coverage caps on a population that earns less than $8,000 per year, he vetoed our bill. Our attempt to override did not garner any Republican support, even though the vast majority of them had voted for the bill.<br /> <br />The compromise legislation, enacted just before GAMC disenrollment commenced, preserves health care and prescription drug coverage for the GAMC population and protects the Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) for MinnesotaCare recipients. The compromise maintained the GAMC program in its current form until June 1st, at which time the program will operate by providing lump sum payments to hospitals. The hospitals will then use a managed care approach to form Coordinating Care Organizations (CCOs) to provide services to GAMC patients. Drug coverage is maintained as a fee for service—a critical component for GAMC recipients, many of who are mentally ill or suffer from chronic diseases. <br /> <br />While the new agreement maintains the safety net, it does come with very high expectations for hospitals, which are being asked to continue providing care despite decreased reimbursement. Initially, all but one hospital declined to become CCOs, and it was only after the Department of Human Services “reinterpreted” the new law to limit the number of patients each hospital would have to take that three additional metro-area hospitals agreed to sign on.<br /> <br />In the final budget agreement, we successfully negotiated the inclusion of rural hospitals in the terms established by DHS and provided an additional $10 million to their uncompensated care pool, bringing that total to $30 million for reimbursement for care provided in hospitals that do not become CCOs.<br /> <br />Even for the short-term, the revised GAMC program is barely sustainable. Hospitals are being asked to provide care, with less money, and enrollees have to navigate a system that asks large hospitals to coordinate their much-needed preventive care. The rudimentary reforms in GAMC will be hampered by under funding and geographic disparity. <br /><br />I am monitoring closely implementation of the revised GAMC program and will be visiting providers and enrollees in Greater Minnesota to best understand the issues with implementation. Early reports suggest the concerns my colleagues and I shared with the administration prior to final passage are being realized and we will continue to pursue the transfer of GAMC patients into early MA.<br /><br />A far superior option is available to us as a result of the passage of the federal health care reform bill. Because Minnesota provides coverage for very low income Minnesotans with state funds, we are one of 11 states able to transfer enrollees into Medical Assistance and earn federal matching funds. <br /><br />Early MA provides stability for those getting care and predictability for providers. Most importantly, it provides us with an important opportunity to bring broad system reforms to improve care and reduce costs for everyone. Foregoing this opportunity would be a strategic failure.<br /> <br />We fought hard to include the early MA opt-in in the final budget agreement and it will be established in state law beginning on July 1, 2010. This option is fully funded in the budget signed by Governor Pawlenty. The Governor can now opt in by signing an executive order beginning on July 1, 2010. <br /><br />By opting into early MA, a decision for Governor Pawlenty or his successor before January 15, 2011, Minnesota will earn federal matching funds. The early MA option is paid for with $1.4 billion in federal funding that is leveraged by $188 million in state dollars – a $7 to $1 ratio. After three years, the state share will disappear entirely and the federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost of coverage.<br /> <br />Reducing the ranks of the uninsured is a cost saver for insured Minnesota families as it eliminates the “hidden tax”, paid in the form of higher premiums to cover uncompensated care. The benefit of the state spending in this area is will create 22,000 jobs, generate $2.7 billion in business activity, and produce $984 million in salaries and wages.<br /> <br />With the passage of federal health insurance reform in April, I know that the GAMC compromise will have a short but important role in Minnesota. I support the early MA, along with many advocacy groups and provider organizations. I hope that you will join me in urging our current, or future, Governor to adopt this measure.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-84513317820368175942010-06-02T17:31:00.001-05:002010-06-02T17:33:16.309-05:00Standing With NursesLast Friday I joined nurses and Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher to stand with 12,000 Twin Cities nurses who will conduct a one-day strike for patient safety on Thursday, June 10, 2010.<br /> <br />As a policy maker, I have always strived to reform and improve health care in Minnesota because that means a healthier population. I firmly believe a critical part of that health care delivery is strong and effective nursing workforce.<br /> <br />Health care in Minnesota is experiencing a lot change and is under a lot of pressure.<br />Reforms being implemented means change in the delivery of care. Our aging population brings a larger demand of patients. At the same time, we are seeing a shortage of nurses and other health care professionals widen. Amidst this pressure, nurses are expressing their concerns for the safety of the patients they care for everyday.<br /> <br />Concern for patients’ safety has always been a top concern for nurses. I know this because I’ve seen it first hand for decades. In 1984, when I was in college, nurses went on strike because of their concern for their patients. In 2001, nurses negotiated with hospitals on the number of patients that each registered nurse could care for to ensure each patient received the attention they needed. In 2008 and 2009 they came to the Legislature and worked with us to put in statute patient/provider ratios to go further to ensure patients were receiving the quality care they deserve.<br /> <br />I’ve worked with hundreds of nurses in many hospitals. I know how difficult a decision it is to strike, because it means leaving their patients, even for one day. But they have the courage and strength to do this in order to stand up for themselves and for the safety of their patients. I am proud to be standing with them. <br /> <br />To watch the entire press conferences visit <a href="http://tiny.cc/tjmfj.">http://tiny.cc/tjmfj.</a>Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-19188045964792719672010-04-11T11:51:00.003-05:002010-04-11T11:56:11.729-05:00Session Mid PointDear Mighty Citizens,<br /> <br />The 2010 legislative session is half over. We have been wrestling with the challenges of a weakened economy and larger state deficit. The first six weeks have been a whirlwind as we have worked to improve the lives of Minnesotans and make Minnesota better.<br /> <br />This session we have already:<br /> • Helped put tens of thousands of Minnesotans back to work<br /> • Fixed 1/3 of Minnesota’s $1 billion budget shortfall<br /> • Restored health care for 85,000 poor, sick Minnesotans<br /> • Aided small businesses competing in a global economy<br /> • Made Minnesota’s excellent election system even stronger<br /> <br />In particular, I want to mention our work on health care. After almost a year of intense work and collaboration, we successfully passed a bill to restore General Assistance Medical Care for Minnesotans in need. The solution is far from perfect, but it ensures that poor and sick Minnesotan can receive health care when they get sick. Maintaining this basic, moral objective was central to our work and I continue working to strengthen the compromise this session, taking advantage of the opportunities in the federal health package.<br /> <br />As we work to close our budget deficit, we will be closely monitoring the federal health care reform legislation and how it interacts with state law. By passing a law to conform to federal health care reform we can capture critical federal dollars to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and improve the quality and affordability of care we deliver in Minnesota.<br /> <br />Although we continue to face serious challenges, good news is on the horizon. Minnesota’s economy is getting stronger. In January, employers added 17,200 new jobs in our state - the highest one-month job gain since 2005. We’re working hard to keep that momentum going.<br /><br />Working hard, we will move Minnesota closer to long-term economic recovery. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. If you would like to learn more about our legislative efforts, please visit my blog. I encourage you to share your point of view with me. <br /> <br />Warmly,<br />Erin<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Jobs Bill Part I: Capital Investment (HF 2700)<br /><br />The Minnesota House has passed a jobs-targeted bonding bill capable of putting nearly 20,000 Minnesotans back to work. The bill makes strategic investments in high-priority, shovel-ready infrastructure improvements.<br /> <br />Jobs Bill Part II: Tax Reform (HF 2695)<br /><br />Continuing our focus on the economy and job creation, we passed common sense tax reforms that will create thousands of new jobs in bioscience, manufacturing, construction, and the emerging clean energy economy.<br /> <br />General Assistance Medical Care (HF 2680)<br /><br />Working together, we passed a solution that restores basic health care for 85,000 of Minnesota’s poorest, sickest people, and prevents 20,000 working adults from losing MinnesotaCare coverage.<br /> <br />Bipartisan Small Business Agenda<br /><br />The bipartisan Small Business Caucus is taking action to make Minnesota a better place to do business. Eight bills backed by the Caucus would free up needed capital, cut red tape, and better-connect small businesses with existing state resources. Many of these reforms come directly from the ideas of Minnesota small business owners who responded to our small business survey.<br /> <br />Strategic Budget Cuts (HF 1671)<br /><br />The Minnesota House resolved 1/3 of the state’s $1 billion budget shortfall. Many of these cuts are difficult, but we have cut less than half of the Governor’s proposed local government cuts which will preserve jobs and limit property tax increases. Going forward, we need a balanced strategy to budget for the things Minnesotans value: quality education, health care and a 21st Century transportation system.<br /> <br />Common Sense Election Reforms (HF 3108)<br /><br />Acting on lessons learned during the 2008 U.S. Senate election recount, lawmakers passed bipartisan election reforms to make our voting system the most reliable and efficient in the nation - while helping Minnesotans cast their ballots more easily.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-57295827916117194782010-02-15T13:27:00.002-06:002010-02-15T13:32:19.743-06:00Capital BondingMy colleague Rep Paul Gardner shared the following blog about Capital Bonding and, with thanks to him, I would like to share it with you. <br /><br />Every two years the Legislature and Governor work on this bill to provide funding for publicly owned buildings, property, and land. In particular, state agencies have buildings or property that are in need of repair, renovation, or replacement. Our state colleges and universities tend to have a large request because they have a lot of buildings. To be "bondable" the project has to be publicly owned, be of state or regional significance, and be a capital project--meaning it has to be "bricks and mortar" and not for ongoing operation costs. The state raises money for these projects by selling general obligation bonds on the bond market. The state then pays the debt service to pay off the bonds over time.<br /><br />Many people have written me assuming that when the Legislature passes a bonding bill that the amount of the bill is actually added dollar-for-dollar to the budget. For example, the Senate just passed a $1 billion bill and someone said that they added $1 billion to the deficit. That's not the case. In our current budget, we will now just pay the debt service on the $1 billion, which is in the tens of millions or so.<br /><br />The state agency Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) starts the process by asking public entities to submit requests. Usually the requests are something like five times greater than funding available, so MMB winnows them down and eventually the Governor's office submits a proposal to the Legislature with projects he wants. This year the Governor submitted $685 million worth of projects and those projects were mostly for state agencies and higher education institutions. The House and Senate are likely to approve a bill in the $1 billion range. According to staff, this difference of $315 million would increase our debt service for FY2010 by zero and by just $2.5 million in FY2011.<br /><br />The bonding bill is often touted as a jobs bill. It is true that the private sector creates most jobs, but in bad economic times when the private sector is not hiring, government can spur job growth by spending on public projects that are generally needed anyway. (This is a basic tenet of Keynesian economics.) Right now, construction costs have declined considerably so many of us believe that if we have a larger bonding bill this year it does two things: we get more projects done for less money and we can spur additional job growth albeit temporarily. A general rule of thumb is that for every $100,000 in bonding projects, you get one job. (Someone gets paid for doing the work, but there are also costs to fuel, supplies, construction materials, etc.)<br /><br />So if we pass a $1 billion bonding bill instead of the Governor's proposed $685 million (a difference of $315 million), we could see the creation of 3,150 additional jobs for just an additional $2.5 million during the next fiscal year. At least in the short term, that's $793 per job when we need to put people to work. WOW.<br /><br />How do we figure out what an acceptable debt level is? Well, there is no law that limits our debt level, but several decades ago, Governor Perpich used three percent of the general fund budget as a guideline and the state has pretty much stuck to that level.<br /><br />Moody's (an agency that sets bond ratings) said this about our debt management: "Minnesota's debt levels have historically been a neutral-to-positive part of the state's credit profile. The state's debt issuance is highly centralized and controlled, with the bulk of bonds issued carrying the full faith and credit pledge of the state. Minnesota's metrics have tended to place the state about average or slightly better among the states for debt issuance. Moody's 2009 State Debt Medians Report shows that Minnesota ranks 25th in debt per capita and 32nd in debt as a percent of personal income, largely a result of the state's increasing personal income levels."Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-89206514452779290162010-01-30T14:28:00.002-06:002010-01-30T14:31:28.286-06:00Caucuses and Session!Dear Mighty Citizens,<br /><br />On Tuesday, February 2nd I encourage you to take part in precinct caucuses.<br /><br />Precinct caucuses bring neighborhoods together and offer all of us the chance to weigh in on the issues important to our community, state and country. Not only are caucuses the first step in choosing our elected officials, they also begin the process of forming party platforms and setting priorities. <br /><br />To find where your precinct caucus is located you can visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website: <a href="www.sos.state.mn.us ">www.sos.state.mn.us </a>. The website displays the times and locations of the Democratic, Republican, Independence, Constitution, and Green Party caucuses. <br /><br />Two days after caucuses, the 2010 legislative session begins. As you have done throughout the interim, please continue to stay active and to contact me with your ideas and input. Your active role in our political process helps me effectively represent our communities at the State Capitol. <br /><br />Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It remains a great honor and privilege.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-7298375855562977262009-12-13T09:34:00.005-06:002009-12-13T09:53:11.102-06:00Fixing GAMC: We Can Do This.At the end of this past legislative session, Governor Pawlenty vetoed funding for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), which provides health care to 70,000 (about 35,000 in any given month) of the poorest and sickest Minnesotans each year. Recipients on GAMC earn less than $7,500 per year and about 80% of those served have serious mental health issues. GAMC funding is set to expire on March 1, 2010. <br /><br />Since session adjourned, we have been working on a solution that will preserve basic health care for the most vulnerable Minnesotans. In July, Health Policy committee members visited nine safety net hospitals all over the state to hear about the need to continue providing basic health care benefits to this medically needy population. Since August, we have held meetings with hospitals, health plans, providers, unions, counties, representatives of the faith community, safety net organizations, grass roots organizations, mental health advocates, and many others to discuss policy and financing alternatives for GAMC.<br /><br />After a lot of listening, we are moving forward with our proposal to temporarily restore GAMC for 16 months in order to build a bridge to national health care reform. Temporary GAMC will offer access to basic care for those currently enrolled, protect vital health care jobs, and restore the solvency of the Health Care Access Fund through 2012. Funded entirely without new taxes, the solution relies largely on cost saving reforms, maximizing existing state and federal health care funding streams, and reduced provider reimbursement rates to pay for a pared down GAMC.<br /><br />You can view our proposal online: <a href="http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committee.asp?comm=86118.">http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committee.asp?comm=86118.</a><br /><br />This plan is not perfect, and there are issues we need to continue working on, but inaction is not an option. In the coming weeks before session, we will continue to work collaboratively with health care stakeholders as well as with the Governor and Republicans on a bipartisan solution that is in the best interest of all Minnesotans. <br /><br />This morning, Lori Sturdavent writes about the session ahead and its challenges. Read it here <a href="http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/79092092.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:UthPacyPE7iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr">http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/79092092.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:UthPacyPE7iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr</a><br /><br />Next step in this process will come on Monday, December 14th when we hold a public hearing to discuss various GAMC proposals. As always, I look forward to your input and perspective.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-18896049732194060322009-10-16T08:28:00.004-05:002009-10-16T08:41:52.539-05:00General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)Casey Selix of MinnPost wrote this story which digs into the complexity of GAMC and efforts to rebuild health coverage for 35,000 sick and poor Minnesotans. <br /><br />Read it here: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/15/12504/pawlenty_sliced_minnesotas_medical_care_for_the_poor_and_now_times_running_out">http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/15/12504/pawlenty_sliced_minnesotas_medical_care_for_the_poor_and_now_times_running_out</a>Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-90727538600743827612009-10-16T08:17:00.001-05:002009-10-16T08:22:00.885-05:00Early Childhoood Opportunity<strong>Legislative Leadership Institute on Child Development Research and Policy</strong><br /><br />Dear Mighty Citizens, <br /><br />I wanted to share with you some information about a legislative conference I will be attending later this month. From Monday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 11 I will be attending the Legislative Leadership Institute on Child Development Research and Policy, sponsored by the Council of State Governments Midwestern Office and The Minnesota Community Foundation. <br /><br />The Institute is designed to build knowledge and understanding of the science of brain development, and how the experiences of children ages birth to three affect development, health and social outcomes across the life span. <br /><br />It’s an honor to be nominated by my colleagues to attend the Institute and I am eager to learn more from these nationally known researchers about how early experiences build the brain’s architecture and develop a weak or strong foundation for life. <br /><br /> <br />Here is a list of the primary presenters: Richard Chase, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Wilder Foundation. Dr. Chase will unveil the findings from the Minnesota Community Foundation-commissioned report on the demographics and key indicators of infant and toddler well being in Minnesota; Meggan Gunnar, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Distinguished McKnight Professor in Child Development, international expert on the effect of stress on brain development, and member of the National Scientific Council of the Developing Child, Harvard University; Robert Anda, MD, MS, senior researcher, Center for Disease Control, and Co-Principal Investigator of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE). The ACE is one of the largest scientific research studies of its kind, analyzing the relationships between multiple categories of childhood trauma and health and behavioral outcomes later in life; and J. Ronald Lally, Ed.D., Co-Director of the Center for Child and Family Studies at WestEd, an educational research and development laboratory.o. Dr. Lally directed the Syracuse University Family Development Research Program, a longitudinal study of the impact of early intervention on low income children and families. <br /><br /> <br />I look forward to reporting back to you about the conference and ways we can improve early childhood in Minnesota.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-77802622184250335392009-09-24T18:30:00.002-05:002009-09-24T18:31:34.295-05:00Health Care ChoicesThis interactive graph breaks down the U.S. House health care proposal.<br /><br /><object width="500" height="465"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://majorityleader.house.gov/links_and_resources/healthy_choices/healthychoices.swf"><embed src="http://majorityleader.house.gov/links_and_resources/healthy_choices/healthychoices.swf" width="450" height="465"><br /></embed><br /></object>Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-15201819482082653642009-09-11T19:27:00.006-05:002009-09-11T19:43:23.285-05:00The Past. The Future.THE WHITE HOUSE<br /><br />Office of the Press Secretary<br /><br />_______________________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br /><br />September 9, 2009<br /><br />Below is the text of the letter from Senator Edward M. Kennedy referenced in the President’s address to a Joint Session of Congress.<br /><br />May 12, 2009<br /><br /> <br /><br />Dear Mr. President,<br /><br />I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me – and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth. <br /><br />On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life. <br /><br />You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country. <br /><br />When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the President who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society. For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination. <br /><br />There will be struggles – there always have been – and they are already underway again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country. <br /><br />And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family’s health will never again depend on the amount of a family’s wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will – yes, we will – fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege. <br /><br />In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign- and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America’s behalf inspires the entire world. <br /><br />So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend- and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become. <br /><br />At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on. <br /><br />And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come. <br /><br />With deep respect and abiding affection, <br /><br />[Ted]Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-60696792348243693232009-09-03T21:53:00.001-05:002009-09-03T21:54:57.423-05:00Send Off for Health CareDear Mighty Citizens,<br /> <br />I want to thank all of you who attended our inspiring and thoughtful<br />Send Off for Health Care meeting this past Tuesday at Mt. Zion Temple.<br />For those of you who weren't able to attend, I want to provide you with<br />some of the information that was discussed. <br /> <br />The purpose of our Send Off for Health Care was to hear about from real<br />Minnesotans about their challenges with our broken health care system,<br />to discuss how federal health insurance reform can solve these problems,<br />and use our productive, fact-based dialogue to together advocate for the<br />kind of health insurance reform Minnesotans and Americans need. <br /> <br />Several people shared stories about how our broken health care system<br />isn't working. We heard from a man who is currently uninsured. Both he<br />and his wife work, but neither of their employers offers health<br />insurance and it is too expensive for him to purchase. A nurse told<br />several stories of patients she had worked with weren't able to afford<br />the preventative care they needed to maintain adequate health. And a man<br />discussed how the rapid increased cost of health care for his employees<br />crushed his small business. <br /> <br />A panel of health care experts including, Rep. Tom Huntley, Pastor<br />Grant Stevenson, Dr. Lynn Blewett, State Heath Access Data Assistance<br />Center, and Dr. Mick Belzer, Medical Director of HCMC, discussed these<br />problems and shared their perspective on why federal health insurance<br />reform must be passed now. Later, we also heard from U.S. Rep. Betty<br />McCollum and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman about the need for health<br />insurance reform. <br /> <br />The panel answered questions about health care reform that had been<br />filled out by those attending. There were so many good questions, that<br />we were unable to get to all of them. However, I will put out another<br />update soon that answers the questions that we were unable to get to at<br />the meeting. <br /> <br />Our productive meeting ended with a call to action. Everyone in<br />attendance was asked to send off a postcard to our congressional<br />delegation that showed their support for federal health insurance<br />reform. The post card read: <br /> <br />Dear Senator Klobuchar, Senator Franken, and Congresswoman McCollum,<br /> <br />Our nation is in crisis. Our health care system is broken. More than 47<br />million of our <br />fellow citizens don’t have health insurance; those who are fortunate<br />enough to have insurance are denied coverage for treatments because of<br />preexisting condition exclusions and other bureaucratic hurdles. The<br />cost of health coverage continues to grow at an unsustainable rate,<br />putting individuals, families, and small businesses in peril. The time<br />to act is now, and I am counting on you! Together I believe we can meet<br />this challenge. Please do all you can to ensure all Americans have<br />access to quality, affordable health care.<br /> <br />Sincerely,<br />____________<br /> <br />Thank you all so much for staying engaged in these important times for<br />our state and country. As always, call, e-mail, or write me with your<br />questions, concerns and input and I will get back to you. <br /> <br />Keep Fighting! <br />Rep. Erin MurphyErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-41928022149620036702009-08-19T17:50:00.002-05:002009-08-19T17:58:08.969-05:00Health Care Reality CheckWow! There is a gob of misinformation about the health care proposals in Washington. It is a challenge to cut through the mire of details, facts and proposals. Add the hyperbole intended to confuse and we have quite a task before us. I am confident that we can work through legitimate concerns. Affordable health care is the goal. Check out this site. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/?s=badge"><img alt="White House Health Care Reality Check" border="0" src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/images/reality_check_badge.jpg?s=badge" width="232" height="163" /></a>Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-90269582408848113502009-07-23T15:53:00.002-05:002009-07-23T15:57:29.523-05:00Share Your Health Care Story<a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDJoRzFkY2kzclp1SGxIWXNtUjJEU0E6MA.." target="_blank"><onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hZ8nj0ZYC9U/SmjOW0nGfYI/AAAAAAAAABw/kDT5gdCuQo0/s1600-h/sm-care-banner.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 87px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hZ8nj0ZYC9U/SmjOW0nGfYI/AAAAAAAAABw/kDT5gdCuQo0/s320/sm-care-banner.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361762247859666306" /></a><br /></br><br />Health care reform on a local, state and federal level is vital. Across our district, our community and our state health care costs continue to rise and more individuals are lacking insurance. I ask that you be a part of health care reform. Sign up below to tell me your health care story - why are you interested in reform. You can chose to make your story private (between my office and your home) or public (the only information that will be shared if public will be your first name, city and your story). These stories will help us work on legislation that can truly make a difference for our state! Click <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDJoRzFkY2kzclp1SGxIWXNtUjJEU0E6MA..">HERE</a> to share your story.<br /><br />~Erin Murphy~<br />State RepresentativeErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-77972674022047226412009-07-22T19:38:00.001-05:002009-07-22T19:44:31.948-05:00TestifyHealth Care Reform: Opportunities and Challenges for Minnesota<br />Testimony of Representative Erin Murphy<br />July 20, 2009<br /><br />Good morning. My name is Erin Murphy. I am a registered nurse and a State Representative from district 64 A in St. Paul. Thank you for holding this hearing in Minnesota and for the invitation to testify today. <br /><br />We must reform health care in America. In the middle of the debate, it may seem impossible to traverse the sharp policy and political questions before us but we must. The status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. While individuals expect and often receive excellent care and cure, American lacks a coherent system of care delivery and payment. The result is a highly fragmented system delivering fragmented episodes of care. <br /><br />Too little attention is paid to the ultimate goal of health. <br />Americans are paying a high price for underwhelming individual and population outcomes. We are in that rare moment of opportunity to change course. We must change course. <br /><br />I am delighted to have the opportunity to share with you a perspective from Minnesota. As you well know, Minnesota is an innovator and has long the lead nation’s efforts in health policy, value and reform. Along with our upper Midwestern neighbors, we are a high value low cost state. <br /><br />We must reform the nation’s health care delivery and payment systems to set the foundation for continued innovation and demonstration in Minnesota. We must embed what we know is working in Minnesota and the upper Midwest to deliver high value for lower relative cost across the Country. Finally, we must ensure that every American is covered so they get the right care at the right time for a good price. <br /><br /><strong>Coverage</strong><br /><br />For many years we have focused on coverage as a primary solution. That so many Americans lack coverage for needed care is wrong, plain and simple. That health care is so expensive that necessary treatment of disease is financially out of reach for so many is wrong, plain and simple. Relying on the emergency room as the primary point of care for the uninsured is wrong, plain and simple. <br /><br />Getting everyone into coverage is imperative, morally and financially. An individual mandate and guaranteed issue of coverage, regardless of preexisting condition will yield more coverage with shared responsibility between individuals and insurers. A public option will give Americans a choice between private coverage and a publicly backed coverage that is portable. <br /><br />A public option provides opportunity to further drive delivery and payment reforms. If the public option cements the status quo in terms of payment and delivery, it will compound the problems with which we are already struggling. But if the public option serves to propel reforms, it enhances efforts to deliver better care for a better price. <br /><br />Minnesota has worked over two decades to assure coverage employing Medicaid, Minnesota Care and General Assistance Medical Care. The Governor’s line item veto of General Assistance Medical Care has undermined 20 years of effort in Minnesota. I ask that Congress consider this as it contemplates any state maintenance of effort. Maintenance of effort is an important means to balance state and federal efforts. Allowing state flexibility in policy reform while maintaining access provides state policymakers with the tools necessary for continued innovation. <br /><br /><strong>Delivery Reform</strong><br /><br />Our fragmented delivery system is providing fragmented care and we are paying a high price. Care for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease accounts for upwards of 60 percent of all Minnesota’s health care costs. This stark fact has served as a focal point in Minnesota. We must pursue policies to prevent the onset of disease and invested in care that will keep those with chronic conditions healthy and out of the hospital<br /><strong><br />Payment Reform </strong><br /><br />Current payment is weighted to specialists and procedures and away from interventions to maintain health. For example, a surgeon is paid more for the amputation of a diseased diabetic limb than is a primary care provider for disease management preventing the loss of the limb. <br /><br />Medicare sets the standard in payment. I urge the inclusion of large scale payment reform such as accountable care organizations or a total cost of care model Without similar, or even more aggressive payment reforms in Medicare, our health care system’s growth will be unsustainable. Medicare’s participation is essential in order to create a critical mass of payers in the new system.<br /><br />Short of large scale change, I urge state flexibility in Medicare payment. A Minnesota or upper Midwest demonstration in payment will permit us to demonstrate the Congress and the nation the means to deliver high quality care for a better price. <br /><br />Achieving significant health care reform in this country has for decades been a uniquely challenging and complex issue. The grind between dogged political frames has proved insurmountable for policy makers. Entwined state and federal policy and funding, limits state policy reform efforts and calls for federal action. The urgency of growing costs and shrinking access compels our action. 40 years ago, America put a man on the moon, a seemingly unachievable goal. We did that- and we will do this too. We must. <br /><br />Thank you for your courage and hard work. I stand with you in your efforts to enact federal reform while promoting and protecting the value the care delivered in Minnesota.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-40699709585120115002009-07-06T20:25:00.003-05:002009-07-06T20:30:34.097-05:00New Laws Effective July 1stDear Mighty Citizens, <br /> <br /><br />On Wednesday, July 1st, several new laws passed during the 2009 legislative session went into effect. I want to provide you with some of the highlights these new laws. <br /><br />Please note, the Governor’s unallotment plans will cut $2.7 billion from the budget and will affect many of the budget laws passed by the Legislature. I have also provided some new information about the Governor’s unallotment and their prospective impact, which began on July 1st. <br /><br />We learned at a recent Legislative Advisory Commission hearing, from non-partisan State Economist Tom Stinson, the Governor’s proposed unallotment will result in 3,000to 5,000 lost Minnesota jobs. Stinson also said the balanced budget passed by the Legislature and vetoed by the Governor would only have resulted in about 1,000 lost jobs. <br /><br />It’s disappointing the Governor has pursued a go-it-alone unallotment strategy that will cost our state 3 to 5 times the amount of lost jobs as the balanced budget we sent him and he vetoed. <br /><br />For more information on the new laws passed during the 2009 session, visit: <a href="http://www.house.mn/hinfo/NewLaws/NewLawsmain.asp">http://www.house.mn/hinfo/NewLaws/NewLawsmain.asp</a>. <br /><br />For information on the Governor’s unallotment plans, visit: <a href="http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/budget/unallotment/unallotment_2009.pdf">http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/budget/unallotment/unallotment_2009.pdf</a>.<br /><br /> <br />Please contact me with your ideas, input and questions. Erin<br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>New Laws Effective July 1, 2009 </strong><br /><br /> <br /><br />Agriculture<br /><br />Focused on job retention and core services in an agricultural funding bill that reduced the departments base budget to help solve the budget deficit. <br /> <br /><br />Crime <br /><br />Strengthened protection for domestic assault victims with new laws. A prosecutor must now provide victims of domestic abuse and harassment with information on civil protection orders. The law also increases from 12 to 24 hours the time an officer may arrest a person whom the officer has probable cause to believe committed domestic abuse. <br /> <br /><br />Energy and Environment <br /><br />Modified successful electronic waste law to strengthen manufactures incentives for proper disposal of waste. <br />Increased transparency in environmental agencies and departments by requiring them to display their budgets on a Web site. <br />Directed about $400 million in Legacy funds to projects critical to environmental and cultural heritage. These funds come from the dedicated funding constitutional amendment passed by the voters last election. <br /><br />Gambling <br /><br />Passed new law to direct the Minnesota Gambling Control Board to conduct a 12 month review of licensed charitable gambling organizations in order to provide transparency where gambling funds are directed. <br /> <br /><br />Government <br /><br />Boosted accountability and reduced spending in state government budget bill, including a cut to the State Legislature. State Government received largest percentage cut of any budget area this session. <br />*Governor’s unallotments will affect state government laws passed by the Legislature. See section on unallotment for more details. <br /><br /> <br />Health Care <br /><br />Made changes to meet federal Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act that will result in additional $20 million in federal dollars cover kids. New law is expected to provide health care to 20,000 previously uninsured Minnesota children. <br />Cut health care and human services spending by about $500 million, but preserved funding for nursing homes, health care access, and minimized job losses at hospitals and clinics. <br />*Governor’s line-item veto of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) and unallotments will affect health care laws passed by the Legislature. See section on unallotment for more details. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Higher Education <br /><br />Capped tuition increases at University of Minnesota at $300 per year and at 3% for MnSCU campuses. <br />Passed several provisions in higher education funding bill to make college more affordable, such as expanding state grant program, work study, and child care assistance grants and creating middle income scholarship. <br />*Governor’s unallotments will impact higher education laws passed by the Legislature. See section on unallotment for more details. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Jobs and Economic Development <br /><br />Passed jobs and economic development budget bill that reduces funding to help solve the budget deficit, while preserving programs critical to getting unemployed Minnesotans back to work. <br /> <br /><br />K-12 Education <br /><br />Protected K-12 schools from cuts with education funding bill that held base funding flat. <br />Reduced unfunded state mandates to schools with new laws to provide funding flexibility in these tough times. <br />*Governor’s unallotment plans will impact education laws passed by the State Legislature. See section on unallotment for more details. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Safety <br /><br />Passed “Brandon’s Law” which expands state’s missing children law to include adults who go missing under dangerous circumstances. The law is named after Brandon Swanson, who went missing after his car was stuck in a ditch in Southwest Minnesota. <br />New law requires child restraint for young riders. Youth in motor vehicles must be in child passenger restraint system until their eight birthday or until they reach 4 foot 9 inches tall. <br /> <br /><br />Veterans <br /><br />Preserved veterans’ services from budget cuts with passage of targeted budget bill. <br /> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Unallotment Information</strong> <br /><br /> <br />We learned more about the Governor’s unallotment plans this week at our second Legislative Advisory Commission meeting. Perhaps most important, we learned the Governor’s unallotment will result in 3,000 to 5,000 job losses. The areas that will be most affected by job losses are private sector health care related jobs, K-12 education jobs, and local and state government-related jobs such as police and fire. Non-partisan State Economist Tom Stinson said the balanced budget passed by the Legislature would have resulted in 1,000 lost jobs. In other words, the Governor’s unallotment will result in 3 to 5 times the amount of lost jobs as passed by the Legislature. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Here are further details on the impact of the Governor’s unallotment plans and information we learned at the Legislative Advisory Commission hearing. <br /><br /> <br /><br />K-12 Education<br /><br />$1.7 billion shift or delayed payment to K-12 schools. Schools may have to borrow money in the short term, increase levies, cut their budgets, or some combination of the three. State Economist Tom Stinson estimates 300 to 600 lost jobs. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Higher Education <br /><br />$100 million cut from the University of Minnesota and the MnSCU system on top of the $60 million in cuts that were signed into law this session. Tuition is likely to increase and over 1,000 jobs are likely to be lost. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Property Taxes <br /><br />$300 million cut from local government aid to cities and counties, which will increase property taxes significantly and result in over 1,000 lost jobs. St. Paul will be cut about $16 million and Ramsey County will be cut about $10 million. The Governor also cut $50 million from the renters’ credit program, which will result in an average tax increase of $129 to $441 for 304,900 Minnesota renters. The average tax increase for the 84,700 seniors and disabled Minnesotans who use the renters’ credit will be $144. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Health Care, Hospitals, Services for the Disabled <br /><br />$236 million was cut to various health care programs, most of which serve seniors, the disabled, and mentally ill. According to State Economist Tom Stinson, these cuts will result in over 500 private sector job losses. We also learned the state of Minnesota will lose $72 million in federal matching dollars as a result of these cuts. <br /><br /> <br /><br />State Government <br /><br />$33 million in across the board cuts to state agency operating budgets with exemptions for public safety, military and veterans affairs, corrections, and State Operated Services within the Department of Human ServicesErin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-2913198315338427492009-06-16T23:51:00.004-05:002009-06-17T14:35:28.903-05:00Raise Our Voices for a More Just MinnesotaToday in the proposed unilateral unallotment proposal, General Assistance Medical Care was cut again, moving the elimination of the program from July 1, 2010 to March of 2010. The Administration is making one more cut to to the poorest Minnesotans and Minnesota hospitals. This cut is a cost shift to those who pay health insurance premiums and property taxes. It undermines the health care of Minnesotans on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.<br /><br />I hope that you will join me for this event. Minnesota people of faith are gathering for a witness of lament on Tuesday June 30 at 10:45 AM at the State Capitol to urge Gov. Tim Pawlenty not to abandon the health of Minnesota’s citizens, especially those most in need. More details to follow.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-9690495935694242392009-06-16T23:40:00.002-05:002009-06-16T23:46:00.737-05:00Legislative Wrap 2009It has been nearly a month since the conclusion of the 2009 session. I have spent the past few weeks listening to the many different reactions to the session. With humility, I want to share with you my perspective on the session, the balanced budget we presented to the Governor, and the importance of the work ahead to shape a positive future for Minnesota<br /><br />Throughout the winter and spring, and as the magnitude of the global recession became apparent, I worked with my colleagues to address the state's budget deficit. Just as families across Minnesota are adjusting to address our new economic reality, the State must do the same. But I believe that deep cuts will actually slow our economic recovery versus a targeted tax increase paired with cuts. From the beginning, I argued for a balanced budget approach employing smart cuts, limited ongoing revenue, and protection of core services. <br /><br />The House produced a balanced budget with deep, but strategic, cuts and limited ongoing revenue in the form of targeted tax increases. We listened carefully to advocates and citizens to understand how to make those cuts responsibly. It was a budget focused not only on cuts, but reforms -- including eliminating public spending on tax preferences that benefited only some Minnesotans; reforming dental services, personal care assistance and public health care programs; and making more than $500 million in cuts to hospitals, nursing facilities and providers while protecting access to care the most vulnerable among us. In total, the Legislature cut $1.6 billion -- $100 million more than the Governor proposed. <br /><br />To prevent catastrophic cuts to basic services, both the Legislature and the Governor proposed new revenue. But our proposals were starkly different. The Governor proposed borrowing $1 billion against future state revenues, forcing Minnesotans to pay the $600 to $800 million in interest on the debt over the next 20 years. The House rejected this proposal in a bi-partisan and nearly unanimous vote of 131-2. <br /><br />The Legislature passed two bills that included ongoing revenue. The first raised $1.5billion; the second, in an effort to compromise with the Governor, raised just under $1 billion - the same amount as his borrowing proposal. Instead of borrowing, our plan was mostly comprised of a small income tax increase on those earning over $250,000 per year -- a joint filer earning $300,000 per year would have paid $109 more per year in taxes.<br /><br />The session ended without a budget agreement, largely because of the fundamental difference between the two plans to raise revenue. Do we borrow to pay for ongoing operations, or use taxes to pay for ongoing operations? It is an important strategic question for Minnesota as we struggle through this recession. <br /><br />The Governor signed our budget bills, but vetoed the revenue bills that paid for them, putting the budget out of balance and effectively ending the session without a balanced budget. We worked to override the veto of the compromise tax bill, but the attempt failed on a party line vote.<br /><br />The Governor will now use "unallotment" to unilaterally close the budget by himself, making additional cuts on top of the substantial cuts the Legislature already passed into law. These cuts will have a significant impact on the lives of many Minnesotans and be most harmful in the areas of education and health care – the top priorities the Legislature worked to protect. The Governor's cuts will likely cause the loss of over 10,000 jobs at Minnesota schools and hospitals, increase tuition at colleges and universities, and spark significant property tax increases. <br /><br />The Governor began his go-it-alone budget cut strategy with his line-item veto of the General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC). Minnesotans served by GAMC earn less than $8,000 annually and more than 70% of them have a chronic health condition. According to the Commissioner of Human Services, these are “the poorest of the poor, the sickest of the sick.” The Governor's veto of this program kicks 30,000 vulnerable Minnesotans off of health care. <br /><br />The Governor argues that health care costs are growing at an unsustainable rate, and I share that view. Last session, we worked with the administration to adopt legislation to slow growth in health care costs, and our efforts are now a national model. That work is progressing and will, over time, produce both a healthier population and cost savings. <br /><br />Unfortunately, his veto of GAMC will hinder that progress. Minnesotans getting basic health care through GAMC today will continue to seek and receive care at Minnesota hospitals, but now the costs will be shifted to those of us currently paying for health care; premium payers, property tax payers, employers and employees. The line item veto puts tremendous financial pressure on hospitals already stressed by the weak economy and does nothing to solve the underlying cost problem. It simply shifts the cost - in effect, a tax increase. <br /><br />In a defining moment of the session, every House Republican stood with the Governor to kick 30,000 Minnesotans off of health care, voting to reject the House's override of the Governor's financially irresponsible and morally reprehensible veto. Just hours later, they stood with Governor again, upholding his veto of our revenue bill that protected hospitals, schools and nursing homes with an income tax increase on the wealthiest Minnesotans. (Here is a link to floor debate on the evening we sought the override of the GAMC line-item veto (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/knjqy9)">http://tinyurl.com/knjqy9</a>)).<br /><br />The Legislature made many compromises with both the Governor and Republicans in the House and Senate. The Governor wouldn’t come to the table, refusing to agree to anything other than borrowing or deeper cuts. While I strongly favored reaching an agreement, I could not agree to the cuts proposed in the Administration's budget - the cuts were too deep and too fiscally irresponsible.<br /><br />I strongly disagree with the Governor's planned unallotment to balance the budget unilaterally. This action is rash and erodes the fundamental balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. That said, now the Governor must act, and longer he waits, the more unpredictable Minnesota's future becomes, further destabilizing our economic recovery. <br /><br />I am already working with my colleagues preparing for next session, continuing our focus on reform. I have met with the folks at Regions Hospital, the St. Paul Chamber, Ramsey County, as well as Mayor Coleman and many constituents. I have met with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health as we work to understand and shape national health reform efforts.<br /><br />Let me be clear - unallotment does not solve our budget woes by any means. We will likely face another budget deficit next year, and my focus will continue to be on reform, so that we may protect core services while providing the best value to our constituents. We will continue on a path to a sustainable budget and economic recovery. I remain committed to an honest and results oriented debate about our fiscal health and our commitment to opportunity for every Minnesotan. <br /><br />I am grateful to you for your advice and your best thoughts. As always, I appreciate your candor and your willingness to both challenge my thinking and consider other perspectives. I look forward to our continued conversation.Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293213099386611752.post-48797691845386945982009-05-16T15:47:00.000-05:002009-05-16T15:48:26.637-05:00PAWLENTY VETO MAY RESULT IN FULL OR PARTIAL CLOSURE OF REGIONS HOSPITALAfter announcing Thursday he plans to make billions of dollars in budget cuts alone without public or legislative input, Governor Tim Pawlenty eliminated General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) in Minnesota. With one line item veto late Thursday night, the governor cut $381 million that was dedicated exclusively to treat the poorest people in the state - including veterans, senior citizens, and the mentally ill. <br /><br />Those cuts may result in the full or partial closure of Regions Hospital in St. Paul. By eliminating GAMC, the hospital will face a $46 million budget cut - 10% of its gross revenue. Regions Hospital employs roughly 5,000 people and serves nearly 23,000 patients every year. <br /><br />The following is a statement from local state lawmakers deeply concerned about these devastating cuts to Regions Hospital and the potential impact on residents of St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs: <br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <br /><br />"Governor Pawlenty’s veto pen single-handedly put Regions Hospital in St. Paul at serious risk of significantly cutting back critical services or potentially closing its doors. This is a devastating blow to tens of thousands of citizens in St. Paul and the surrounding communities who rely on Regions Hospital for quality, expert medical care. It has threatened thousands of jobs, and the health and safety of our communities. <br /><br />This deep and devastating cut could have been avoided. Lawmakers offered a responsible alternative that would have cut Regions Hospital only $5.7 million - a budget reduction the hospital could have sustained without significantly drawing back critical medical services to our community. <br /><br />By eliminating GAMC, Governor Pawlenty has cut 30,000 of Minnesota’s poorest, sickest citizens off health care. Many are veterans, senior citizens, people with mentally illness, or those who are homeless. 70% have expensive mental health or chemical dependency challenges, and 40% have chronic disease that leads to frequent hospitalization. Without care, these Minnesotans will be at risk of devastating health implications. <br /><br />Finally, these cuts have made the state’s budget shortfall even worse. Eliminating GAMC in Minnesota costs the state $100 million in federal matching funds. It also requires that inmates in county jails and sex offenders who are constitutionally required access to medical care must now be paid for in general fund dollars. <br /><br />We are deeply disappointed in Governor Pawlenty’s decision to balance the budget with jobs and deep cuts to hospitals. In the final days of session, we’ll keep fighting to protect jobs and keep Minnesota’s hospitals whole."Erin Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00444417876131760663noreply@blogger.com