No more unfunded mandates!

This afternoon the House Committee on Public Employee Health Care Reform reported HB 5671, a bill that would require local units of government to file a report with the State Department of Management and Budget (DMB) detailing information regarding health benefits provided to its employees.  While we appreciate the need to collect data to determine cost savings for the Speaker’s plan, requiring local units of government to provide this information without reimbursement is a clear violation of the Headlee amendment. The committee adopted a (H-1) substitute (see link below) to the legislation that contains very detailed information that must be presented to DMB within 45 days of the Governor signing the bill.  In addition a community with a website would be required to post the information on its website resulting in additional costs. 

This is information that would be currently available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); however, that Act allows a local unit to recover costs associated with compliance.  This bill is a way to get around the costs associated with FOIA and not pay local units of government for increased costs. The League testified in opposition to the bill on the grounds of the Headlee violation, but it was reported from committee overwhelmingly with only one no vote.  The committee chair indicated that the bill would be worked on to address concerns of local units before it moves on the floor, but during the last week of lame duck session it is possible that anything can come up for a vote.  

Contact your legislator today to ask them to vote no on another unfunded mandate!