Notes from March 7, 2017

Posted by Michael Kraines
 
MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: REPRESENTATIVE JENIFER LOON
We’re two months into the session after a quick start on January 3rd.
  • Tax conformity, state/fed match-up, addressed
  • $300 million to buy down premiums of individual plans under ACA that increased upwards of 60% or 30K
  • Sunday liquor sales passed!
  • $1.65 billion is the new forecast budget surplus
  • Tax relief bill, vetoed last year by Dayton, may be larger this year
  • Dayton proposal to tax wholesale gasoline likely to be controversial
 
 
  • SW light rail—effort to disband transit board could lead to more local control and collaboration
  • Real ID—House passed bill—2 track 1) meets fed requirements to access commercial flights and federal buildings and facilities, and 2) current ID that will not. Issues around bill relate to undocumented people obtaining ID and Feds asking for too much info.
  • Affordability of retiring in Minnesota being discussed: tax on SS benefits—bill to phase out taxes on SS is out there, seniors increasingly accessing aid such as SNAP
  • ACA repeal and impact on Minnesota—Minnesota expanded Medicaid funds under ACA and if Medicaid is block granted back to states MN stands to be on the losing end by a billion plus—
  • Grant to EPHS to support Strive like program-support for at risk students
 
Announcements
  • “Stop Trafficking” 5K walk/run June 10th at 10:00. Looking for volunteers—Roger agreed to coordinate though he will be unable to attend and he kindly volunteered John Crudele as well.
  • Approved three new members in the past month!
  • Eden Prairie panel on racial bias in Minnesota will meet on March 20th
  • Above and Beyond dinner April 25th
  • Vino Classico will be held Saturday October 17th
 
Spotlight on Kevin Kraemer
Kevin grew up on a farm where his father passed on a passion for raising and training horses. Though he moved from his original family farm to another he was later able to purchase the original Kraemer family farm that dates back to 1894. A photo of a very young Kevin with a toy pistol and stick horse foreshadows his favorite sport “Mounted Shooting” which involves riding horse and powder blank target shooting in a timed competition. Kevin attended Wayne State, not the one in Detroit—the other one, as an undergrad and as a result choose UCLA for graduate school so that he might no longer need to answer future questions about where the school he attended is located. Today he is a financial planner with Edward Jones and he is taking new clients. Kevin loves to travel with his family. He has three daughters that are all active in EP sports. His wife is on the recovery side of cancer and Kevin thanks everyone for their support.
 
 
Happy Fines
  • Dennis Kim – Wife retiring and he graciously invited all to attend retirement party at the office.
  • Roger Jorgensen—Epiphany—enjoy the bacon, and buy the pants that fit the man he is today! Total new attitude and much more comfortable!
  • Beth Kreusch—first woman director of U of M marching band, Elizabeth (Betsy) Kerns McCann, and EPHS graduate will be speaking on March 22nd at an Eden Prairie Education Foundation event.
  • Irene Kelly—Happy that Lisa Wood is her guest today, happy about the trip to Guatemala, and happy to be back.
  • Jenifer Loon—Sunday liquor sales passed
  • Dick Ward - happy for the success Jenifer had passing Sunday liquor, but also recognized Jenifer Loon for her work and service with Strive and PROP
  • Carol Bomben—recognizing Jenifer Loon for passing the Sunday liquor sales, and also for her ability to listen and care about the needs in special education.
  • John Crudele—Visit of three Rotary clubs found it wonderful to see the great work of Rotarians involved in Strive.
 
Visitors
Bill Gaddis - Prospective Member
Blake Chester - Jared Chester's Son
Lisa Wood - Prospective Member
Ale Pena Gonzalez - Exchange Student
Parker Hewitt and Carter Mason- Student Interns