It is too soon to tell… . At this stage, the process is cloaked in secrecy and it is not possible to know whether there will be unexpected changes that could adversely affect children who have autism. The public will have an extremely limited opportunity to intervene when a special session is called. The AALC has been working to keep autism out of the cross-hairs.
Late last week, Governor Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leadership reached a tentative budget agreement that appears to have ended the government shutdown that commenced on July 1. The budget agreement is based on an offer submitted by Republican legislative leadership to Governor Dayton on June 30. Specifically, the June 30 offer proposes a $35.5 billion total budget, which is $1.4 billion greater than the budget passed by the Republican legislature. In order to fund the increased spending, the budget deal relies on the issuance of state bonds against future tobacco revenues and increases the aid payment shift for schools from 70-30 to 60-40. In addition, Governor Dayton outlined three stipulations the legislature must agree to in order for the budget deal to be signed into law: a removal of controversial policy issues from finance bills, removal of the fifteen percent across-the-board reduction to the state agency workforce, and passage of a bonding bill that spends at least $500 million. A copy of the Governor’s July 14 letter to Republican legislative leadership, which includes the June 30 budget offer, can be accessed here: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/pressreleasedetail.jsp?id=102-14140.
As of this morning (Tuesday, July 19th), the Governor and Republican leadership have agreed to the details of four major spending bills — but no agreement has yet been announced regarding the education and health care bills. The spending bills that have been finalized during the secret negotiations are transportation, public safety and judiciary, environment and natural resources, and Legacy funds.
The details of the HHS budget bill will be negotiated and determined by key legislators and administration officials behind closed doors. We will continue to learn more about the details of the HHS budget bill as it is negotiated and finalized and will keep you apprised of any new developments as they occur.
Amy Dawson is the parent of twins, one of whom has autism and special health care needs. She began practicing law in 1992 at the firm of Faegre & Benson, L.L.P. in Minneapolis. She also worked at the PACER Center and is a member of the Board of the Arc Greater Twin Cities. Amy’s law practice focuses on issues related to autism, disabilities, insurance and estate planning.
Bob Gunderson inspired me to devote my practice to individuals who have disabilities, their families, and the organizations that serve them. Bob Gunderson was my mentor, friend and colleague and I miss him very much. Bob Gunderson served the disability community as an attorney, as a brother, and as a dedicated volunteer who spent many hours in service to organizations such as Opportunity Partners, Fraser, PACER, and the Arc of Minnesota and Arc Greater Twin Cities.