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Quandt questioned why they had access to the Berggren study but it is public information Discussion was held on the Federal Building but DHHS expressed concern that it would not work. There will be a phone conference tomorrow with DHHS. The voted on the motion was taken Arnold, Lanfear, Richardson and Schuppan voted yes and Bredthauer, Lancaster and Quandt voted no. Motion carried. 11:00 PRESENTATION ON LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FROM STATE SENATORS FRIESEN AND SENATOR HOLLERAN — Lancaster welcomed Senator Steve Halloran and Senator Curt Friesen and invited them to discuss issues that might be important to County Government. She noted that they have completed the County's budget process and did not raise the levy and they used the inheritance funds for capital improvements. Senator Friesen and Senator Halloran noted the following. • There have been fewer interim studies this year • They have not solved the property tax issue and the bill will be back • Expressed concern on the K to 12 funding • Need to address the lost revenue • Issues on the tax credits • The Advantage Act will be here for 15 years. • Looking at the change to the broad band for law enforcement etc. • Noted the Medicaid expansion will impact the state's budget by $111 million to $153 million • The income eligibility will be $45,000, people may quit working to be eligible for health care • Small employers struggle to offer health care coverage so employees may quit so they can go on Medicaid for health care • There is a struggle now to find employees • There are still issues with the State Corrections Department Lancaster noted she serves on Work Force Development and they encourage people to work. She expressed concern on healthcare for children. Richardson noted that they own small businesses and qualified employees are hard to come by. Arnold noted that the best health care is a job health care is a huge benefit. Senator Halloran noted that the number of health care providers has diminished and that has had a negative effect on the health care market. Quandt noted that the County sheriff has tried to increase the fees for serving papers without success. Senator Friesen stated it is difficult to get fees increased because some of it is required. There are third parties that also do the service but the sheriff is the cheapest. They need to take away the requirement that the sheriff has to serve the papers. 7