Update: Will a Federal Shutdown Impact You?

I am sure glad I serve at the State Capitol in St. Paul, not in Washington, DC.  While the U.S. Congress is again engaged in a battle of brinkmanship over Obamacare that could cause a government shutdown at midnight tonight, we have had some really good news here in Minnesota lately. 

WILL A FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IMPACT YOU?  Since Minnesota has less of a reliance on the federal government than most other states, the impact here of a potential shutdown will be generally less than elsewhere.  The U.S. Mail will continue to be delivered.  No disruption in payouts of Medicaid, Social Security, and Supplemental Social Security are anticipated.  The VA Hospital and health care system would remain open.  However, 1100 military technicians who support the Minnesota National Guard will be furloughed.  Passport and visa applications will not be processed.  National parks, such as Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, will be closed.  Food stamps will likely not be distributed.  Many of the 18,359 federal employees based here in Minnesota will be sent home.

Misquoted?  According to the Washington Post, at least one member was smiling about the possibility of a government shutdown:  "We're very excited," said Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.), "It's exactly what we wanted, and we got it."  My hope is that Rep. Bachmann was misquoted.

MINNESOTA RANKS 8TH BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS.  Minnesota ranked eighth in the "Forbes 2013 List of the Best States for Business," jumping 12 spots from a year ago.  This was the biggest improvement of any state in the study, which ranks states based on six key metrics: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects, and quality of life.

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE SET TO LAUNCH TOMORROW.  MNsure.com, which is set to go live tomorrow, was confirmed last week as offering the lowest health insurance rates in the nation.  Private insurers will compete for consumers' business on the website.  "It's a marketplace," said David Durenberger, a senior health policy fellow at the University of St. Thomas who previously was a Republican U.S. senator from Minnesota. "It's not a perfect marketplace, but it's the first thing we've got that approximates an informed marketplace in health care."  Durenberger was quoted in the Pioneer Press.

GREAT NEWS FOR SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS.  Two years ago at this time, a $2.4 billion loan had just been taken from our K-12 schools to balance the state budget.  From a budgeting perspective, it is one of the worst things I have ever seen, akin to balancing the state budget on a credit card.  I opposed it, argued against it, and voted no.  But I still take responsibility for what happened and have been pushing to pay our schools back as soon as possible.  Today, it was announced that we have now paid back more than 90% of the $2.8 billion loan.  I am hoping we will have the loan completely paid off by May of 2014.

As always, if you have comments, questions, or concerns, please let me know. You can reach me at rep.joe.atkins@house.mn or 651-296-4192.

Joe