Friday, March 16th, 2012
Deadline Week at the Capitol
Senate committees
worked overtime and
focused on hearing policy bills this week, as
Friday was the first of
three committee deadlines. This week I presented six bills in various committees: black bear as the
Minnesota State Mammal, streamline the county process
chemical dependency treatment, health coverage mandates cost benefit analysis, DNR data practices (second
hearing), small business insurance modification, and cost
of service rate modifications . I will continue to work hard
on behalf of my constituents and our state. You can track
my legislation here: http://bit.ly/wksRyu
Andover Elementary Students
Testify on Black Bear Bill
(Alex and Grace testify in Committee)
MCCL Student Day at the Capitol
From left to right:
Kris Gaffaney, Emily Meuer, Hunter Ryks, Amanda Meuer,
Ian Ryks, Aylish Hilkert, and Senator Benson
The kids did a great job in State Gov Committee Monday and they brought a sparkle to
Chairman Parry's eye! They are learning how
government works as they lobby for a cause
they really care about. I'm honored to be able
to author this legislation on their behalf.
Baby Claire Turns One
Bills Passed Into Law
This week is the first deadline for legislation to be heard in committee this session. With many of my bills currently under review in their respective committees before going to the Senate
floor, now seems to be a good time to review what I achieved
last year.
Ensuring that Minnesota was a better place to live and work is
an important issue for me. SF 0612 was passed to ensure that
concussions in youth sports are responded to properly to ensure that our children are safe while other bills were passed to
increase the efficiency of our health care system. Energy was
another important area where a number of bills were passed to
improve conservation and payment efficiency. We also instigated a study of higher education in the for-profit sector to ensure the rights of graduate students are being met. Finally, we
have made access to health care programs easier by integrating
the online eligibility and application portal.
Seven bills are on the Senate floor now, and I look forward to
sending them to Governor Dayton's desk in hopes that they will
become law. To see the list of what passed into law last year,
click here: http://bit.ly/AtyuFM
The Benson family will celebrate the one
year birthday of baby Claire on Sunday,
March 18. Claire spent much of her first
year at the Capitol with Mom, Grandma,
and our family baby sitters. She is growing up fast and is a joyful and energetic
part of our family. We are so blessed to
have her in our lives.
Employee Freedom Hearing
Connect With Senator Benson
Employee Freedom, also know as Right-to-Work,
was heard in Judiciary and Public Safety this morning. After over one hour of testimony from each
side, the Committee voted to pass it and re-refer it
to the Rules and Administration Committee. While I
don't sit on either of those committees, I support
Senator Dave Thompson's bill and am a co-author. I
look forward to this bill coming to the Senate floor
when I will vote "yes."
Senator Michelle Benson
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room G-24
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
Telephone: 651-296-3219
www.senate.mn/SenatorBenson
www.twitter.com/SenatorBenson
www.facebook.com/SenatorBenson
Sen.Michelle.Benson@senate.mn
WCCO Appearance
In case you missed my WCCO appearance from Sunday, talking about allowing Minnesota families to
make health care decisions for themselves, you can
view the video clip here: http://on.fb.me/zggeHG
As always, constituents are more than
welcome to come visit me at the Capitol with or
without an appointment. You can listen in on a
committee hearing, chat with me by the Senate
Chamber, or go on a tour of the Capitol. I look
forward to your visits!