Breitbach-sponsored bill fails to clear "The Funnel"

State Senator Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point says a bill he has written just makes sense.  Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for the bill to be considered by the State Senate.

Breitbach was a business owner before he was elected to the State Senate in November.  "I've always been expected to contribute to my health plan," Breitbach told decorahnews.com.  He wondered why that wasn't always the case for state legislators.  So Breitbach sponsored a bill that would require state legislators to pick up 20 percent of the cost of the premium if they sign up for the state's health insurance.

Legislative rules required any non-appropriation bills to be considered by the legislature this session had to clear either a House or Senate committee by the end of the last week.  Breitbach's bill to require legislators to pay 20% of the premium if they have state provided health insurance did not make it to committee. 

However, notes Breitbach, "I will continue my promise to voluntarily pay 20% of my health insurance premium."