Dear Neighbor,

A bill that would add some much-needed oversight and accountability in state programs started moving through the committee process this week. Here’s more on that good news and other notes from the House with just 51 calendar days remaining until our May 17 adjournment deadline.

OIG bill finally moving in House

An OIG bill that’s needed but has been on hold for far too long finally advanced through two House committees this week. House Republicans have said we need to establish a truly independent Office of the Inspector General that has enforcement authority to address Minnesota’s rampant fraud problem. On the other hand, Democrats tried amending these components out of the bill and that’s where things got tied up.

As of now, it only took some minor changes to get the bill (S.F. 856) through its first committee steps. This version is similar to legislation which passed the Senate 60-7 last year before it was blocked it from passing the House on a party-line vote.

The main thing is a new Office of Inspector General should not be limited to issuing reports or recommendations because people want real action to prevent and stop fraud in our state. This bill provides what’s needed to strengthen oversight and accountability in state programs, ensuring taxpayer dollars are protected and are delivered to those who genuinely need them.

It is good we held strong to make sure our priorities were included in this bill instead of letting it get watered down. This bill has the teeth it needs to be effective.

Federal officials have estimated that fraud within Minnesota’s social services and Medicaid programs could total $9 billion or more. This figure stems from investigations into 14 different high-risk Medicaid programs, with officials suggesting that half or more of the roughly $18 billion billed since 2018 may be fraudulent.

Affordability

House Republicans continue working on ways to make Minnesota more affordable. A number of bills to make this happen received hearings this week, including a proposal to reduce our state’s high tab fees for vehicles.

The subject of expensive tab fees has been in the news a lot this week. It’s partly the result of the former trifecta raising them significantly as part of their $10 billion in new taxes passed in the last biennium.

House Republicans are working to reverse the damage and return rates to pre-trifecta levels. A House Republican bill to return tab fees to pre-trifecta levels received a hearing in the Transportation Committee this week and it would provide nearly $1 billion in relief for Minnesotans. Unfortunately, the bill was blocked along party lines.

Also, the bipartisan bill (H.F. 400) I authored to reduce costs on health care premiums was dealt a bit of a blow this week when House Democrats voted against moving it to the final stop before it can be presented for a vote on passage by the full House. That was a curious move, especially since two of the bill’s six authors are Democrats. I’m still working on this bill and will see what we can do to salvage it and help Minnesotans.

Faces at the Capitol

St. Cloud Area Chamber Evening at the Capitol

More MN Farm Bureau

Gift card fraud

A bill (H.F. 3155) I’ve co-authored to crack down on gift card fraud has cleared its last committee stop and is available to come up for a vote of the full House any time. It’s a bipartisan proposal that has support from law enforcement, so let’s hope it gets into law soon!

Deadlines

The House has reached the first set of deadlines for bills to make preliminary progress in the committee process, with the third and final deadline scheduled for April 17. That will leave one month for the legislature to debate bills on the floor and conduct votes on final passage. Will it be a flurry of bills getting through … or more of a trickle? Somewhere in between? Time will tell and I will keep you posted.

Helpful House links

Here are some links you may find helpful in following the latest goings on at the Capitol:

• Rep. Bernie Perryman legislative page – My official House website with assorted information.
• Rep. Bernie Perryman Facebook page – My official House Facebook page with topical posts regarding the House and state government in general.
• Session Daily – Daily news and information about House committee and floor action.
• Live Webcasts and Mobile Stream – View floor sessions, committee hearings, press conferences and more from home or on a mobile device.
• House Public Information Services Publications – Information about the Legislature and legislative process.
• House Public Information Services Press Releases
• New Laws – Summaries of all vetoes and new laws enacted from the 2021 legislative session.
• House Research – Issues and information.
• House Fiscal Analysis – Issue briefs.

Please Contact Me

It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. You can call me at 651-296-6316, or email me at rep.bernie.perryman@house.mn.gov. I am here to serve you!

Bernie