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Locals share input, hear updates at Chamber coffee with legislatures Monday morning

Subhead
Caucuses Set for March 1
Lead Summary
By
Lori Sorenson

The Luverne Area Chamber hosted Sen. Bill Weber and Rep. Joe Schomacker for Contacts and Coffee Friday morning in the lower level of the Chamber office.
Weber and Schomacker, both of Luverne, discussed items of interest from the 2016 legislative session and took questions from citizens and local leaders who attended the event.
Schomacker said nursing home funding reform was one of the biggest accomplishments from previous sessions. “It’s a value-based reimbursement system to keep up with costs,” Schomacker said.
He pointed out that for Good Samaritan in Luverne, the legislation resulted in an additional $600,000 per year, most of which supported better wages for caregivers.
A good share of discussion centered on MNsure, the state’s health care insurance exchange, which has been troubled by recent premium hikes and audits showing misappropriated funds.
Among the points raised Friday morning was the fact that Medicaid recipients are finding liens placed on their properties after signing up for nursing home assistance.
“To me, this is totally unacceptable,” Weber said. “They at least need to know what they’re signing.”
During Friday’s casual discussion, the legislators were asked if they had any influence over the Blue Mounds State Park decision on replacing the dam and water feature.
Schomacker and Weber said they could weigh in on discussion, but proposing legislation it wouldn’t likely produce outcomes.
“It’s a honey and vinegar sort of thing,” Schomacker said. “Sometimes you get more with a little honey.”
Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere expressed disappointment with state funding for the Blue Mounds.
For example, this year is the 125th Anniversary of Minnesota state parks and trails and there are more than 60 special events planned at parks all over the state.
“But there isn’t one program planned for ours,” Lanphere said.
She also lamented that funding hasn’t been approved for a park naturalist at the Blue Mounds, and to generate interest the Chamber has taken the lead on events that draw attention to the park and to Luverne.
Weber and Schomacker agreed to participate in a meeting about the Blue Mounds with local and regional park officials, along with the Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau.
At Friday’s coffee gathering the legislators, both Republicans, encouraged the public to participate in the caucus process, which includes a straw poll for presidential candidates
“Precinct caucuses are the first step for both parties in the election process,” Schomacker said. “These delegates determine both the candidates and party platforms.”
He encouraged the public to participate and to bring resolutions for consideration.
The DFL caucus in Rock County is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, in the Senior Center in Luverne. The GOP caucus is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, in the Luverne Elementary Commons.

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