Republican priorities outlined

To the Editor:

I marked the beginning of the 2019 legislative session Tuesday by announcing key early session priorities. The Legislature’s first five bills will focus on issues that affect hardworking Minnesota families: child care affordability and access; stronger support for those who are battling mental health issues; aligning Minnesota’s tax code to federal adjustments; and cleaning up waste, fraud and abuse within state government.

I can’t count the number of times I heard someone this summer say, “Julie, I am happy with what you did the last two years, but I am still feeling stressed.” Whether it’s child care, health care or taxes, folks are still feeling pressured by rising costs. We listened to their concerns, and these early priorities show we are taking them seriously. I can’t wait to get to work.

The first five priorities unveiled by Senate Republicans are as follows:

o Supporting mental health – Senate Republicans promise a stronger legislative response to the growing problem families are facing regarding mental health, especially in our schools and on the farm.

o Making child care more accessible and affordable – During statewide listening sessions over the summer, Senate Republicans heard from parents struggling to find and afford child care. New legislation will address the regulatory overreach that causes these problems and encourage new child care providers to start up.

o Lowering health care costs – Senate Republicans will build upon their recent success in lowering health insurance premiums by offering new proposals that allow patients more freedom to choose their doctor, shop around for the best value for their health care dollar and make health care billing more transparent.

o Making government more effective and accountable, and eliminating fraud – Senate Republicans will introduce several proposals to hold government more accountable and stop wasting money in the areas of child care fraud, MNLARS and other statewide IT failures.

o Making our tax code simpler and fairer – In addition to making tax filing easier by conforming to the new federal tax law, the Senate Republicans’ proposal will simplify the tax code and reduce taxes for Minnesota families.

I will once again serve as chair of the Senate’s highest-ranking committee, the Finance Committee, where I will play an integral role in budget negotiations with Gov. Tim Walz and House Democrats. In addition, I will serve on the Energy Committee; the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee; and the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

I can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5713, by email at Sen.Julie.Rosen@senate.mn; or at my office in room 2113 of the Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Ave., St Paul.

State Sen. Julie Rosen

R-Vernon Center

Honored to serve District 23A

To the Editor:

Tuesday marked the beginning of the 91st session of the Minnesota House of Representatives. This session is my 13th in the Minnesota House.

It remains such an honor to work on behalf of the people of southern Minnesota, and I look forward to representing their needs again this session.

Along with being named Republican lead of the Minnesota House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division, I will serve on the Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division; Housing Finance and Policy Division; and the Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform.

If you’re looking to contact me, my office location is 277 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. I also can be reached at rep.bob.gunther@house.mn or at (651) 296-3240. Office appointments can be made by using this phone number.

If you are interested in hearing directly from me by receiving my email update, visit my official Minnesota House website at www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ members/profile/10748, click on “Email updates” and enter your email address.

State Rep. Bob Gunther,

R-Fairmont