303 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 www.senate.

mn/ senatorwiklund

Capitol UpdateMarch 21, 2013

Highlights:
I serve on the following committees: Health, Human Services, and Housing, Education, E-12 Finance, State & Local Government March 22nd is the second Committee Deadline, which means that all bills must be through all policy committees in both the House or the Senate Im also working with Reps. Lenczewski and Slocum on legislation that will benefit Bloomington and Richfield

March 21, 2013

SD50 Bloomington, Richfield

Deadlines mean Committees work overtime

Because the legislature is parttime and has a definitive date for adjournment, committees have deadlines for bills to be heard. March 15th was the first Committee Deadline, meaning that all bills that have policy implications had to be passed out of all policy committees in either the House or the Senate. March 22nd is the second Committee Deadline, which means that all policy bills have to be through all policy committees in both the House and the Senate. This means that as the deadlines get closer, committees frequently have late night meetings to hear and vote on bills. It also means that a wide variety of bills have come before me, some of them include: S.F. 1014: making needed adjustments to Minnesotas sex offender treatment program S.F. 711: establishing a program to close the achievement and opportunity gaps in education S.F. 966: establishing procedures for making certain county offices appointed rather than elected S.F. 473: requiring hospitals to perform newborn screenings for congenital heart defects S.F. 1117: updating and expanding the Minnesota Family Investment Program S.F. 662: conforming certain state laws to federal requirements in the Affordable Care Act S.F. 384: implementing services for sexually exploited youth S.F. 481: establishing early learning scholarships Senator Wiklund chairing a meeting of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Housing committee All of those bills, and many others, have come before at least one of the committees I serve on since March 7th. Bills that do not meet the committee deadlines can not be heard or taken up on the floor this year. These bills are not dead, however. They can resume the committee process next year, and hopefully will meet the deadlines then.

How to contact me at the Capitol: Phone: 651-297-8061 E-mail: sen.melissa.wiklund @senate.mn

Rep. Linda Slocum (50A): 651-296-7158 rep.linda.slocum @house.mn Rep. Ann Lenczewski (50B): 651-296-4218 rep.ann.lenczewski @house.mn

Budget Targets Announced

On March 20th, Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), Chair of the Senate Finance committee, announced the Senate DFL budget targets. These targets provide a framework for eliminating the states projected $627 million budget deficit, and making important investments in the middle class. Although there is still quite a bit of work to do, Im encouraged that the Senate, the House, and the Governor have all made strong commitments to education, property tax relief, and job creation. By ensuring that the state budget is structurally balanced, we can set Minnesota up for real prosperity, and longterm economic growth. Stay in touch! My contact information, and the information for the House members from our district is on the left, please feel free to contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns you might have. I work for you, and the more I hear from you, the better I can do so!

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Capitol Update March 21, 2013

Around the District

The [Bloomington Writers] Festival has workshops set up in five interest areas: getting started, telling stories, publication, promotion, and the intersection of other art disciplines.
Metro South Adult Basic Education was named a 2013 Adult Basic Education Program of Excellence by the MN Department of Education and the Literacy Action Network At the State Class 3A Girls Basketball Tournament, Richfield High School finished 3rd. At the State Class 4A Girls Basketball Tournament, Kennedy High School finished 2nd. Congratulations to both teams on great seasons! The 10th Annual Bloomington Writers Festival and Book Fair is Saturday, March 23rd at the Bloomington Center for the Arts (1800 W Old Shakopee Rd) The League of Women Voters Richfield is sponsoring a public forum, Organized Garbage Collection, A New Option for Richfield?, on Saturday, March 23rd from 9:30-11am, at the Richfield City Hall/ Municipal Center (6700 Portland Ave S) The Continental Ballet Company in Bloomington recently celebrated its 25th anniversary Minnesota History: On March 23rd, 1971, Minnesota ratifies the 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, lowering the voting age to 18. Both Minnesota and Delaware claim to be the first state to do so, and our office is urgently investigating this claim to determine who has proper bragging rights.

Health Insurance Exchange becomes Law

After lengthy debate and countless committee hearings (which allowed 66 of 67 Senators to weigh in even before it got to the floor), the bill to establish a Minnesota Insurance Exchange passed the Senate. There were differences between the Senate and House versions, and a conference committee worked them out. On Monday, March 18th, the Senate approved the conference committee report and voted to pass the bill, which the Governor signed on March 20th. I was proud to vote Yes. The Exchange will be an online marketplace where individuals and businesses can shop for and compare insurance plans for price, coverage, and accessibility. Its estimated that 1.3 million Minnesotans will utilize the Exchange, and it will provide opportunities for 300,000 Minnesotans who dont have insurance to get it. A Minnesota-run exchange will also cost less than participation in a federal exchange for everyone involved. Insurance companies will pay less in premium withholds and consumers will receive coverage at a lower cost.

Looking Ahead...
In the coming weeks, the legislature will be on Easter/Passover break and when we get back, well be spending more time in floor session debating and voting on bills. The legislature is required by state law to adjourn on or before May 20th, so well definitely be burning the midnight oil. As more bills come before the full Senate, please feel free to contact me with your views, and I will continue discussions with constituents about how I can best serve Bloomington and Richfield. Im excited to continue working for you, and I hope youll stop by the Capitol and say Hi!. Otherwise, Ill see you around town!

Sen. Wiklund presents a bill with Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and resident Chuck Kjos