Capitol Roundup

NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) today (Friday, Nov. 20) was joined by dozens of lawmakers in both the House and Senate to demand answers from American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) CEO Karen Ignani in light of sharply rising health insurance premiums for small businesses.

Read more: Franken demands answers from health insurance companies

NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) introduced two bills that provide additional resources to help homeless and foster children succeed in school.

Read more: Sen. Franken introduces bill to help homeless succeed in school

NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – While chairing part of today’s (Thursday, Nov. 19) Joint Economic Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about the Administration’s plans to reform the financial regulatory system.

Read more: Klobuchar presses Geithner on small business lending

NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) offered praise today (Thursday, Nov. 19) for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act introduced last night by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contains several measures that Sen. Franken has been fighting for specifically, including two key cost-saving insurance regulations, an important reform of Medicare payment rates that would help Minnesota, and a reduced medical device tax rate.

Read more: Franken praises Senate health care reform bill

NEWS RELEASE

Saint Paul, MN – Property tax levies will increase an average of 3.5 percent statewide if proposed local tax levies are adopted later this year, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced today (Thursday, Nov. 19). This compares to last year’s increase of 5.6 percent and an average increase of 6.9 percent during the past three years

Read more: Proposed property tax levies increase 3.5% statewide

The proposed Northern Lights Express (NLX) high speed passenger rail project between Minneapolis and Duluth is gaining momentum.

The Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance is working with community partners to explore options for renewing passenger rail in the 155-mile corridor.

Read more: Northern Lights Express high speed passenger rail under study

NEWS RELEASE

St. Paul, MN -- Minnesota employers added 2,200 jobs in October, according to figures released today (Thursday, Nov. 19) by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The state's unemployment rate climbed 0.2 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted 7.6 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate in October was 10.2 percent.

Read more: Minnesota employers add 2,200 jobs during October

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Outbreaks of flu-like illness in Minnesota schools has decreased for a third week in a row, having Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials speculating that the second wave of novel H1N1 is receding.

“I am optimistic that we are on the downswing of our second wave,” said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist.

Minnesota State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield is optimistic that the second wave of novel HiN1 flu is dissipating in Minnesota. But health department officials still stress the need for taking flu precautions such as washing hands, staying home when sick, getting vaccinated.

(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Read more: Outbreaks of flu-like illness decreases in Minnesota schools

NEWS RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is an original co-sponsor of legislation authored by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) to guarantee up to seven days of paid sick leave for workers infected by the H1N1 virus.

“Minnesota families need to know they can do what’s best to keep themselves and others healthy,” said Sen. Franken.

Read more: Franken co-sponsors paid leave act in response to H1N1 epidemic

NEWS RELEASE

Saint Paul, MN -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty announced the Governor’s Residence, which has been decorated for the holidays, will again open to the public for holiday tours on three Tuesdays in December: Tuesday, Dec. 1, Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 1-3 p.m.

“The Governor’s Residence was graciously donated to the state by Olivia Irvine Dodge and Clotilde Irvine Moles and belongs to the people of Minnesota,” Governor Pawlenty said. “The First Lady and I invite all Minnesotans to visit this marvelous place.”

Read more: Governor's Residence holiday open house dates announced

Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, regretfully announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 18) that the legislative health care reform tour in northwest Minnesota scheduled to begin later this week has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict.

Lawmakers had planned to hold forums in five cities between Nov. 20 and Nov. 22, including stops in Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Hallock, Warroad, and International Falls.  Sen. Marty said he would work with his colleagues to reschedule the tour, although no specifics have been determined. For more information, contact Barb Jacobs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 651-296-5645.