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State Representative Kurt Zellers
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5502
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
NEWS RELEASE
REFORM 2.0: JOBS, EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE "This is not a Republican Agenda. It is Minnesota's Agenda."
SAINT PAUL -- (January 19, 2012) -- Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature today unveiled their priorities for the 2012 legislative session. Focused on creating a competitive business climate to foster private sector job growth, high performing education and a smaller, cost-effective government, Reform 2.0 will modernize outdated, rigid public systems that have failed to respond to the evolving needs of Minnesota's economy and citizens.
"Tax and spend stimulus packages that create more government spending will not provide for long-term growth and stability in our state's private sector economy or state budget," said Minnesota Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). "Restoring confidence in Minnesota's economy, improving education and health care, and transforming government services begins with reform. When we met with business owners and citizens across this state, they were not looking for a government handout. The Reform 2.0 agenda is based on what we heard from them. This is not a Republican agenda. It is Minnesota's agenda."
Republicans said government needs a new way of thinking to address both the short-term and long-term structural needs of Minnesota's economy and budget.
"Government redesign is not only about making government more efficient and working better, it is about providing the right services to the right people. We’ve received a lot of ideas from citizens about how government reform can spur job growth in their communities and we’ve identified principles to help us achieve that goal," said Senate Majority Leader David Senjem (R-Rochester).
In crafting the Reform 2.0 agenda, Republicans traveled to dozens of cities for public meetings with business owners, local government leaders, and interested citizens to gather input on how to reform state and local government. They drove thousands of miles and listened to hundreds of people who shared their ideas on what government can and should do better.
"We received an unprecedented amount of feedback in developing an agenda that reflects the ideas of Minnesotans and the challenges they face every day in dealing with obsolete systems and entrenched burdensome practices," said House Majority Leader Matt Dean. "These are noncontroversial, common sense reforms that will move Minnesota in the right direction for a growing economy supported by an efficient and effective government."
Republican leaders said many of the bills have been introduced and more will be available once the legislative session begins in January.
"We have central reform principles that we believe will result in a better business climate. First, reforms will look at the cost and quality of education, health care and energy. Second, we will pursue a growth-friendly tax structure to encourage job creation and economic prosperity. Thirdly, reforms will address regulatory and permitting obstacles for job creators," said Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake). "Our priority is private sector job growth -- we want to promote innovation, investment and entrepreneurship to bring out the best about Minnesota to build long-term prosperity."
The Reform 2.0 Web site (www.reform2.mn) will serve as a clearinghouse for all information related to the initiatives being proposed and tracking their legislative progress this session.
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