On Tuesday, January 24, the 2012 Minnesota legislative session convenes.

Traditionally, the second year of the session is reserved for consideration of a bonding bill, which sets state borrowing for building projects. The second year is also a shorter session, typically lasting approximately three months versus five months in the first year.

All 201 legislators in the Minnesota House and Senate are up for election. Governor Dayton will not stand for election until 2014. This is also a redistricting year, which occurs every 10 years. The district maps will be announced by the Supreme Court in February. The new district lines mean that some current legislators will have to run against each other, and new districts will be created with no incumbent member. Many members will have significantly different-looking districts.

The House of Representatives has already announced that they will adjourn on April 30, 2012. The Senate has yet to make an official similar announcement, but will likely agree to this date; regardless, the Constitution allows the session to go no later than May 21, 2012.

With all the acrimony and party polarization of the past few years, constitutional amendments have become an increasingly popular avenue to pursue to get policy adopted. Already on the ballot for the general election this November is an amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Other amendments being considered include requiring the use of a photo ID in order to vote, limiting the Legislature’s ability to raise taxes, and adopting right-to-work requirements.

Additionally, the state recently announced that rather than the usual budget deficits we have been experiencing there is actually a budget surplus for this biennium. Unless the next scheduled forecast (released on February 29, 2012) shows differently, there will not likely be any new cuts to contend with this year.

This does not mean we can rest! It is still important for you and your staff to contact your legislators either by phone or by email to remind them of the important work that you do and the impact we have in the communities we serve. We also encourage you to invite your legislators for a tour so they can see firsthand the impact of the decisions that they make. We are happy to assist with this effort.

The Long-Term Care Imperative is in the process of finalizing the agenda for the 2012 legislative session, and we will make it available as soon as it is finalized.

For more information about the upcoming session or assistance in contacting your legislator, please contact Heidi Holste at 952-851-2482.

Heidi Holste
952.851.2482
hholste@careproviders.org