The 2017 session is three weeks old and we are moving ahead on many fronts. On the second day of session, we agreed to suspend the rules to unanimously pass HF 2 providing $21.7 million in immediate tax relief to Minnesotans by conforming state tax provisions to those of the federal government.

The next most pressing issue is health care premium relief. Discussions continue between the governor through his commissioners and the Republican authors of the bills. The differences are not about the need to solve this problem but are in the process of getting immediate relief to constituents whose health care costs are skyrocketing. Minnesotans in this situation want certainty of assistance at the soonest possible date. That bill, HF 1, will now go into a conference committee where differences between the Senate and House versions will be negotiated until a final version is agreed upon.

Health care premium relief is a very high priority as I have received emails, letters, and phone calls for the past four months from constituents regarding their concerns over the high cost of premiums.

We must provide immediate relief without bogging down the process. Gov. Dayton’s plan is simple and direct and will reduce premium increases by 25 percent this year. Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, Myron Frans, is the governor’s lead in negotiating a positive outcome.

Trying to fix everything with one bill is not the most prudent route; people need financial help right now. Before the end of session we will be able to make long-term improvements to health care affordability.

Another major bill with which we have dealt before is REAL ID. The deadline for compliance is January 2018. If we do not become compliant, Minnesotans may not be able to board airplanes, enter military installations, or access federal buildings.

We must move quickly on this; the addition of controversial elements to the bill is slowing down the process. The main sticking point is a requirement that would bar – in statute – undocumented immigrants from procuring licenses. Undocumented immigrants currently cannot get a driver’s license, making this requirement unnecessary.

Debate over reforms to our health care system and our path forward with driver’s licenses are necessary conversations. However, when we are under a deadline to get premium relief to Minnesotans for 2017 and must resolve REAL ID by the beginning of next year, we need to make this legislation as simple as possible.

I encourage you to contact me throughout the session with ideas and viewpoints on issues important to you. You can reach me by phone at 651-296-4193, by mail at 291 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn. I always appreciate hearing from you.