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Capitol Wrap: World Junior Hockey Tournament Funding, Public Health Insurance Option
A wide variety of bills are gaining attention at the Minnesota State Capitol as deadlines approach for committees to keep bills alive for passage this session.
That includes a bill calling for a $6 million grant to Minnesota Sports & Events to help host the 2026 World Junior Hockey Tournament.
“This means jobs,” said Sen. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deafaven), a co-author of the bill. “That means tens of thousands of visitors. It means vitality and spending in our downtown.”
The Senate Employment and Economic Development Committee also heard video testimony from Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nan and Olympic gold medal gymnast Suni Lee, who lives in St. Paul, and will participate in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the Twin Cities. He talked about support.
Also on Wednesday, the House Commerce Committee approved a bill that would open up Minnesota’s public health insurance program to more Minnesotans.
“Too many Minnesotans still lack access to affordable, quality health care,” said Rep. Jamie Long, DFL House Majority Leader and bill author.
His bill would allow more Minnesotans to enroll in MinnesotaCare through the MinnesotaCare public option, with no deductible for households below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines and a lower deductible for higher-income households. Become.
Many health care providers oppose the bill because of low reimbursement rates for public health insurance plans, and private health insurance companies oppose the bill because it could negatively impact small group insurance plans. ing.
“Competition is great, but Minnesotans value a level playing field, and this does not provide fair competition,” Mike Anderson of the Minnesota Insurance Underwriters Association testified.
The bill passed the House Commerce Committee by a unanimous vote, but Republicans voted against it.
Another issue gaining attention this week is a mandate passed last year to make Minnesota’s electric utilities zero-carbon by 2040. Supporters of the mandate say it will be difficult to accomplish unless states streamline the permitting process for solar and wind energy projects.
“To meet our 2040 carbon-free electricity goal, we need to double the pace of adding clean energy resources,” said Jake Schweitzer of North Star Policy Action, which supports the bill to streamline permitting. ” he said.
A recent study by North Star Policy Action shows that it may take until 2060 or beyond to meet carbon emissions targets.
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