ARRM's Daily Dispatch

Daily Dispatch, May 21, 2009: New laws - what do they mean?

Almost all of ARRM's Transformation Bill passed this year. This is exciting news, but also leaves questions for many as to "what does it mean?"  ARRM is prepared to provide support to it's members in understanding the laws that passed as part of our transformation plan, as well as other laws that passed that affect us. 

June 5, 2009 at 10:00 is the next First Friday Phone-In. We will hold our normal phone in, followed by a more in-depth review of the issues most likely to impact providers. This "webinar" type session will provide an opportunity for members to get information and to ask questions. We anticipate this session will last until approximately noon, but we will stay online beyond that time to answer questions as needed.

Mark this date on your calendar and be watching for your invitation to the First Friday Phone-In: expanded.

If you have questions prior to that, please contact Barb Jacobson at (651)291-1086 ext. 3

Daily Dispatch May 20, 2009 ARRM Conference a "Super Hero" Success

A total of 1253 people came together to attend the 2009 ARRM Conference.  ARRM's very talented Nancy Peterson worked along with ARRM staff, the Conference Committee and many volunteers to create a conference that included learning, networking, recognition and fun. The opening keynote speaker David Horsager kicked things off with his captivating presentation that combined humor and illusions with business insight and analysis.  The closing keynote speaker Karla Heeter's humorous presentation convinced us all that it is important to include humor in your life. 

All the wrap up work is now underway and thoughts of next year's conference are not far away. 

Please mark the dates of May 12-14, 2010 on your calendar for next year's conference which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul.

Daily Dispatch, May 11, 2009: Letters to the editor and news articles shine a bright light on disabilities

Your superb work writing letters to the editor and pitching stories to your local news media have put disability issues on legislators' radar screens. More importantly, your good work publicizing our fight this legislative session is putting a human face on how the budget cuts will impact Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens.

Last night, KARE 11 ran a story about a person served by Dakota Communities, and how the budget cuts would impact him. Please take a moment to watch the video or read the comprehensive reporting by John Croman.

http://tinyurl.com/o2wyc9

As our work at the capitol continues, we'll capture examples of ARRM members in the media on ARRM's PR/News blog, here: http://arrm.typepad.com/arrmpr/.

Daily Dispatch, May 7, 2009: House offer drops licensing fee

Last night the House members of the Health and Human Services Conference Committee dropped the increased licensing fee in their most recent offer to the Senate. The Senate had not included the fee increase in its bill. The fee is one of our biggest issues.

But don’t take anything to the bank. As you know this is only Round 1 of what will be on-going negotiations after the Governor likely vetoes the bill because it is dependent on tax increase.

That means that the overall cuts that the Health and Human Services conferees will have to make down the round will be larger.

But it was critical that we got the fee out now so it’s not in the base for future negotiations.

The conferees are expected to rap up their bill tonight, although House members have said that legislative leaders may give them more time to finish.

Daily Dispatch, May 6, 2009: Yesterday’s developments at the capitol...

The Health and Human Services Conference Committee must finish its work by Thursday (which could be in the wee hours of early Friday morning).

Yesterday ARRM:

• Worked out a compromise amendment to make our provision to allow people to cash in their GRH dollars for MSA Shelter Needy money to use in alternate settings. The compromise was needed to make the provision budget neutral while allowing service providers to own or control housing. 

• Negotiated an amendment to pacify data privacy lobbyists and legislators on our technology in lieu of overnight supervision provision.

• Worked with licensing on an amendment to clarify the elimination of duplicative background studies.

• Testified – along with other provider groups – against the increased licensing fee proposed by the Governor and in the House bill.

• Testified on a Senate provision to reduce rates of foster care providers over 95% of the state average—with a mechanism to adjust rates up for acuity (high need people).

Daily Dispatch, May 5, 2009: Senate Conferees Agree to House Reduced Cut

You have power. It’s not easy to turn the capitol around. But you did!

Yesterday the Senate members of the Health and Human Services (HHS) conference committee presented their first offer in the negotiations and – lo and behold – the Senate took the House position to reduce the provider rate cut from 3% to 2.58%.

Because the Senate matched the House number it’s very unlikely that that number will change – at least until we go into Round 2 after Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoes the bill. But it’s very important to keep the cut as low as possible to set the stage for Round 2.

When the conference committee of five Senate and five House members started the Senate had a target to cut $719 million; the House had to cut $400 million. Legislative leaders agreed yesterday that the conference committee split the difference.

The conference committee is expected to resolve differences between the House and Senate HHS bills by Thursday, with action by the full House and Senate as early as Friday.

Then expect a veto and the House and Senate will need to come up with another bill, which will call for bigger overall cuts.

The important thing for us is to then renew our successful efforts to keep the cut as low as possible. The next funding cut target will likely include legislative leaders and the Governor.

Right now we’re working to convince Gov. Pawlenty that HHS needs enough money to keep our cut as low as possible.

What you need to know is that your calls, emails and visits to the capitol have had a big impact in making disability rates a significant issue – first in the House and now in the Senate. We hope that your success will be strong motivation to take action when we put out our next alert – especially as the sledding gets tougher when the overall cuts to health and human services is bigger.

If you have services or live in a Senate conferees district it wouldn’t hurt to drop a quick note thanking them for taking the House position on the disability provider rate cut.

Here are those conferees:

Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls. / District 61) 651-296-4261
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1005&ls=86

Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (Duluth / District 7) 651-296-4188
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1061&ls=86

Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL – Kerrick / District 8) 651-296-0293
sen.tony.lourey@senate.mn

Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL – Mankato / District 23) 651-296-6153
sen.kathy.sheran@senate.mn

Sen. Julie Rosen (R – Fairmont / District 24) 651-296-5713
sen.julie.rosen@senate.mn

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Daily Dispatch May 5, 2009 - New T.B. testing requirements for SLF and Home Care

The Minnesota Department of Health has made changes in the requirements for T.B. testing.  The new standards require a two step process, an initial mantoux with a follow up test.  These changes were effective 3-9-09.  Please click on the following link for details, and if you have questions feel free to call Barb Jacobson at ARRM (651)291-1086.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/profinfo/ib09_5.html

Daily Dispatch, May 4, 2009: Non-profits should call tax conferees

For the past year the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Dept. of Revenue and County Assessors Association have negotiated legislative language that would preserve nonprofits’ exemption from property taxes. ARRM has been part of those discussions.

As a result, both the House and Senate Tax Bills have language that would presumably protect nonprofits’ – including group homes – non-tax status.

But late in the process the Senate changed a key phrase that could put some non-profits tax exemption status in jeopardy. Instead of directing assessors to make determinations based on “reasonable justification,” the Senate uses a much higher standard, “compelling factual reason.”

In public and in private the Dept. of Revenue has assured ARRM that the bills would protect nonprofit “group homes” and DT&Hs from taxation and agreed to put that in writing in its bulletin to assessors. But Minnesota has 87 counties and the higher standard in the Senate bill is worrisome.

Therefore, ARRM asks that you contact any or all of the five House and five Senate conferees to support the House position, which uses “reasonable justification” to determine tax exemption status in situations when the nonprofit doesn’t meet all of the six guidelines assessors use. In fact, most nonprofits don’t meet all six tests, so this is really important. 

The conference committee will develop the final bill that goes to the Governor.

The conferees are:

House

Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington)
651-296-4218 rep.ann.lenczewski@house.mn

Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) (Author of the non-profit bill)
651-296-6829 or 800-551-5520 rep.paul.marquart@house.mn

Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL-Clara City)
651-296-4346 or 800-341-5897 rep.lyle.koenen@house.mn

Rep Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls)
651-296-4219 rep.diane.loeffler@house.mn

Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall)
651-296-5374 or 888-234-1242 rep.marty.seifert@house.mn

Senate

Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)
651-296-8881
www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_emailform.php?mem_id=1003&ls=86

Sen. Rod Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook)
651-296-4196 sen.rod.skoe@senate.mn

Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-MPLS.)
651-296-4191 sen.scott.dibble@senate.mn

Sen. Mee Moua
651-296-5285 sen.mee.moua@senate.mn

Sen. Debbie Johnson (R-Ham Lake)
651-296-3219 sen.debbie.johnson@senate.mn