Jan. 14, 2017 Report on Week 2, Rep. Rick Holman

While some of the bigger budget and policy issues are still developing a couple of bills are getting some attention. One, which raises the speed limit on Interstate highways from 75 to 80 has some chatter going around. I don't see that as a good plan since most large trucks are still traveling 65 to 70. Adding five miles to the legal speed limit will just create more passing situations. If a semi is going 65 and cars are going 85 the road would not be safer.  

A second piece of legislation would allow just one license plate. Just this year we replaced all the existing plates with two. Even if it was a good idea, it's two or three years too late. Visits with law enforcement personnel give me lots of reasons to cast a no vote on both of these bills. On Wednesday after 30 minutes of debate, is was defeated in the House.  

A bill to fix the law on the definition of marriage was killed in the Senate.  Earlier this year the US Supreme Court ruled that using gender to define marriage was no longer appropriate. The interim committee in ND studied the issue and proposed a change in state law to reflect the federal law. Without the change ND law is in conflict with federal law meaning someone could do a court challenge requiring the state to spend money to defend a can’t win position.  In this case the US Constitution says we have to follow the federal law. 

I've received many emails from people concerned about the cuts in reimbursement for nursing homes. I hope this discussion can continue.  This issue is one that needs attention to keep our Long Term Care facilities financially healthy and accessible. Like other types of health care, skilled care nursing facilities have seen significant increased costs of operation. Adjustments are necessary.

A second health care issue is that of the continuation of the  Medicaid Expansion. Some legislators see anything connected to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) as a bad thing. The expansion needs to continue or 20,000 North Dakotans will be without health care with the potential of putting them into a bad economic situation. The Expansion works with a 95% (dropping to 90%) federal match. Moving some of those to regular Medicaid would return to the 50% federal match, ultimately costing the state more. As this issue plays out on the federal level, it will also be moving forward in North Dakota. Some of the high cost problems that have occurred in other states have not surfaced in ND. Hopefully our Human Services Department can continue with this needed service in the area of health care. 

Be sure to contact me if you have questions. 

Email: rholman@nd.gov, text or call (701) 238-1124 

Enjoy our world in black and white. , Rick Holman