• On Tuesday in the Energy and Climate Division, Governor Walz's 100% renewable bill (HF1956) will receive its first hearing.
o Gov. Walz’s plan will require 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent) responded to the plan, pointing out that while Republicans don't oppose renewable energy, they oppose mandating the elimination of other means of energy generation by a certain date. Given the technology that we have today, this proposal would cause energy bills to skyrocket and would threaten the reliability of our energy grid, which is critical during polar vortexes and other cold snaps.
• The Legislative Auditor will release their long-awaited report on Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) Fraud on Wednesday at 9AM. Expect a House Republican press conference shortly after the release of the report, and the report will be discussed at the Senate Human Services Reform Committee meeting at 3:30PM.
o Last week, Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) highlighted outrageous language in a bill submitted by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie) that would allow people who have admitted to giving counties false information, false attendance reports, or refused to provide attendance records the opportunity have an extra review at taxpayer expense.
• The Governor's tax bill (HF2125) will have its first hearing in Taxes on Tuesday.
• Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) and Gov. Walz's ONEcare (Health Insurance) bill (HF3) receives its next hearing in the Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
o Over the past week, Minnesota Management and Budget has released two separate fiscal notes for SF761, the Senate bill to extend reinsurance for three years. The fiscal notes confirm that reinsurance would "reduce premiums in the individual market in plan years 2020-2022," and premiums "could be as much as 20 percent lower due to the reinsurance program."
o Despite his own state agencies confirming that reinsurance works to bring down premium costs, Gov. Walz did not include a reinsurance extension in his budget. Instead, he is proposing a 20 percent premium rebate plan that would only help a portion of the individual market; cost the state more compared to reinsurance; and would do nothing to prevent premium prices from skyrocketing.
o The bill to extend reinsurance was heard in the House Commerce committee earlier this session, but remains stuck in Rep. Liebling's Health and Human Services Finance Division.
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