2007 Session Review

Summary

The 2007 legislative session has come to a close. Legislators kept their word and adjourned on time, avoiding a special session. The battle between a Democratic majority in both legislative bodies and a Republican governor proved to be deal breakers on many avenues, including property tax reform, money for roads, a bonding bill, state capital improvements and many health-care initiatives.

For MAPE, this session was a major success. In the November 2006 elections, MAPE PAC endorsed legislative candidates won nearly 75 percent of their races, establishing strong MAPE allied majorities in both legislative bodies for the first time in eight years. MAPE employees contributed to the passage of important legislation this session by contacting their legislators in record numbers. The Legislative Action website was used nearly six times more than any other previous year. Many members used the Legislative Action website this session for the first time. One-hundred-twenty MAPE members packed the Great Hall at the Capitol, making MAPE’s 2007 Day on the Hill a huge success. In addition, MAPE members across the state contacted their legislators for MAPE’s first ever virtual Day on the Hill. There is no doubt that MAPE employees who took the time to attend Day on the Hill, call, write and e-mail their legislators played a major role in our accomplishments this session.

MAPE was successful in getting legislation passed against outsourcing. This language was a major step in the right direction and met the top two priorities of the session set by MAPE’s Government Relations Committee. We were also successful in achieving a 3 percent salary supplement above the governor’s budget request for each year of the biennium. There is no question that legislation passed this session that will benefit each and every member of the MAPE bargaining unit.

Salary Supplement

The most significant legislation sought by MAPE this legislative session was the salary supplement. As mentioned in previous legislative updates, a salary supplement is not passed in the same way other legislation is. A salary supplement is not written in bill format or given its own bill number. Rather, a salary supplement has historically been added to each agency’s base budget in various finance omnibus bills. Legislators are informed of the salary supplement through spread sheets handed out in addition to the legislation being worked on in committees and on the floor.

This legislative session, the Legislature included a 3 percent salary supplement for each year of the biennium. The 3 percent was included in and above all state agency base budgets. The language previously proposed by the Senate to designate the 3 percent for salaries only was removed from the legislation. This was the first time a salary supplement was passed since 1989, when Gov. Rudy Perpich was in office. As you know, the governor and the House of Representatives budgeted for 2 percent salary supplements. Thanks to all of the legislative contacts from MAPE members, we were able to help influence the Legislature into including a 3 percent salary supplement for state employees.

Outsourcing and Privatization 

MAPE’s legislation that would help prevent outsourcing and privatization of state workers by requiring agencies to consider former employees on the seniority unit layoff list before contracting out has become law.

 

Health Care 

MAPE supports universal health care, and efforts to make our health care system more efficient and cost effective. Each year, the cost of health care costs eats up a large percentage of our total compensation. In fact, DOER’s initial estimates of 12 percent increases on the cost of insurance are nearly equivalent to a 2.25 percent salary increase for the MAPE bargaining unit. A great deal of time was spent on universal health care goals this session. The Legislature held to its word to provide health care coverage to an additional 36,000 children. Prior to Jan. 15, 2008, the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access will be putting together recommendations on how to achieve the goal of universal health care. In addition, a statewide health plan purchasing pool study group will be convened. MAPE will have one representative as part of the study group. Changes were made to health insurance regulations that now mandate that insurance companies must insure children up to age 25 under their parents’ coverage, whether they are in school or not. Unfortunately, state employee health plans were excluded from this provision due to cost concerns. MAPE will look at earning this benefit at the negotiations table.

The pilot project to create consumer electronic health records in MnSCU is not funded or required by the Legislature in the State Government omnibus bill. However, the language exists to allow it to happen. All parties will have to work something out, if this initiative is to happen. In the Health and Human Services omnibus bill, there is a statutory requirement with funding that mandates all hospitals and health care providers to implement interoperable electronic health care records by Jan. 1, 2015.

 

Other Watched Legislation Lights On

The “lights on” bill that was initially included in the State Government Omnibus bill was originally vetoed by the governor. In addition, it was a point of contention in the governor’s veto message. This provision was removed prior to the last draft of the bill to ensure passage and funding for the agencies in the bill. A second veto of the bill could have resulted in a special session.

Domestic Partner Benefits

The domestic partner insurance provisions did not pass. The committee chose to remove the insurance coverage provisions for an interim study on the inclusion of coverage for one “significant individual” for each unmarried state employee. Again, the governor vetoed the initial bill, included the provisions in his veto message and the provision was removed to ensure passage of the bill. 

Pensions

The Pension Commission has included legislation renewing the $17,000 retirement incentive with requirements of 15 years of service and an employer’s choice of using the money to be placed in the employee’s health care savings plan or put toward the purchase of retirement service time.

The following is a spread sheet of passed legislation that will impact MAPE members:

                                                                       

Bill Number	Bill   Summary
N/A	3% and 3% compensation   supplements added to agency’s base budget each year of the biennium.
S.F. 548	Policy language requiring   agencies to consider employees on a lay off list before outsourcing.
S.F. 430	Up to $17,000 retirement   incentive for employees with 15 years of service who select and are granted   retirement instead of layoff.
H.F. 548	DOER Workers Compensation   employees moved to the Dept. of Administration, honoring their request with a   guarantee against loss of job, salary cuts and benefit loss until 6/1/09 .
S.F. 1236	Extends the current 1040   hour unpaid leave of absence statute through 2009’
H.F. 548	$3.9 million allotted for IT   security including staffing
S.F. 2096	$750,000 each year for   additional staff to enhance timber sales
S.F. 2096	Establishment of a program   where state employees may receive cash awards for suggestions resulting in   documented cost savings from reduced energy usage in state owned buildings.
S.F. 430	Addition of CPT 4 to   “covered correctional service” for purposes of retirement
H.F. 829	$2 million each year to help   reduce Corrections Probation case loads.
S.F. 430	Addition of Human   Services Licensed Alcohol and Drug   Counselors, MA3, and Rec.Therapist Leads to “covered correctional service”   for purposes of retirement
H.F. 122	DLI Commissioner to report   back to the legislature by 1/15/08 on recommendations for implementing   administrative review procedures to address whistle blower protection   complaints.
H.F. 1078	Reduction of Occupational   Therapist licensing fee by $35.
H.F. 1078	Legislative Commission on   Health Care Access to recommend by 1/15/08 how to achieve the goal of   universal health care.
H.F. 548	State employees electronic   health records pilot project (opportunity – not required)
H.F. 1078	Statewide health plan   purchasing pool study group with one MAPE representative required.
H.F.1078	Requires health care   providers to implement interoperable health care records by 2015.