BLOG: Jobs, Budget Protections, Strengthening Drug Laws

Jobs and Economic Growth

Our work continues in the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. This week, we heard several bills that will encourage business growth and investment, including SF2290 tax credits for “angel” investors and SF2355, which is small business investment credit. One very interesting idea is SF2283 regarding University Enterprise Laboratories and facilities similar to a “business incubator.” We also heard my bill, SF2455 to encourage film productions in the state. I am working hard on two other small business growth bills: SF2410 for small business advocacy, and SF1614, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act.

Shutdown Consumer Protections

Minnesota students, home safety and families that visit the Minnesota Zoo should not be used as leverage if the state budget bills are not passed and the Senate passed three bills this week to address situations where the services could continue to citizens should the state face another shutdown. SF 1780 would allow MnSCU to access its funds that are under control of Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) and pay MMB for its services in the event of a budget impasse. The change would level the playing field between MnSCU, UMN and private colleges in the event of a shutdown. The two other bills were: SF1844 to keep the Minnesota Zoo open and operating during a shutdown and SF1551 would allow electrical inspectors to keep working during a state shutdown. During the 2011 shutdown, the Court deemed some employees essential and decided that the due to animal welfare, the Zoo should remain open. In 2011 the estimated net cost to the zoo in lost revenue net of cost savings, was between $50,000 (per the MN Zoo Foundation) and $132,000 (per MMB fiscal note) for the two days the zoo was closed. Electrical inspections were highlighted because most electrical inspections are done by state-contracted inspectors, not local entities, so this area was particularly impacted by the shutdown. The account is able to pay its expenses but because of the way it is set up it wasn’t able to be accessed during the shutdown. The state lost revenue because state electrical inspections couldn’t continue working, so the inspections had to be handled by local entities. If a shutdown ever occurs again this bill would minimize the impact to these groups and costs to the state.

Free Market Health Care Insurance Reform

Republican lawmakers announced the introduction of a free market health care insurance reform bill that would permit certain entities to administer unified personal health premium accounts. It would provide the first step to creating a functional health care alternative that is consumer-driven and market-based. Minnesota is a national health care leader and already has the tools and programs in place to provide uninsured Minnesotans appropriate coverage. This bill will further allow coverage in a way that is sustainable and effective, while using the strengths of the state’s private market. It will also create a mechanism for individuals to pool money from multiples sources in order to afford insurance premiums in the private market. Individuals and their employers, as well as family members, charitable organizations, and other sources, would have the capacity to add funds to unified personal health premium account.

Strengthening Synthetic Drug Laws

A bipartisan bill to help combat the possession and sale of synthetic marijuana was approved in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. The bill modifies the definition of synthetic marijuana and enhances the penalties for selling such substances. While possession of synthetic marijuana would still be classified as a misdemeanor, the proposed legislation specifies that the sale of the product would carry a five year felony penalty. Although legislation to outlaw synthetic marijuana was passed last year, certain forms of synthetic cannabinoids can still be legally bought and sold in stores across Minnesota. However, some dealers have already found ways around those laws by changing the chemical makeup of the drug. The bill tries to stay ahead of the production of new drugs or chemicals that are hitting the streets which should be illegal to possess or sell but currently are not. Senate File 2319 makes improvements to the current law and allows law enforcement to file charges based on the underlying structure of synthetic cannabinoids.

School Choice

The Senate Education Committee approved a bill to give low-income students the opportunity to attend the school of their choice this week. A low-income family in a failing school, in effect, does not have the option to send their child to a better learning environment. Senate File 388 allows poor students who attend persistently under-performing schools to choose a school that can better accommodate their learning needs. This legislation saves the state money and gives under-privileged families an avenue out of a failing school structure.