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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Rep. Fritz working to get the job done
The 2005 legislative session is now over six weeks old. There is a strong sense here of the need to get the job done, to make good on our promise to set aside partisan issues and work together for the benefit of the people of Minnesota. I am committed to that and will work hard on your behalf.
I have spent a lot of time since I came here focusing on transportation issues. Last week our bipartisan meeting of rural legislators focused on the special challenges we face with regard to maintaining and fixing our roads. This week I attended a transportation finance forum, and I have been in regular contact with the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding area projects, especially Highway 218. I am trying to learn as much as I can about our transportation needs and the best way to address them.
I'm happy to say that Highway 218 is already part of the MnDot project list and is scheduled for a bituminous overlay this year.
One of the biggest issues ahead of us this session is health care. We are facing a looming crisis in Greater Minnesota, one that will be made even worse under the Governor's budget proposal. There are already over 200,000 persons in Greater Minnesota alone who lack health insurance. This number will grow by 18,000 under the proposed cuts to MinnesotaCare coverage. These people will be left with no option for health care benefits.
In addition, the Governor's proposal will cut payments to hospitals by almost $56 million, resulting in the loss of another $40 million in matching Federal funds. Greater Minnesota will absorb roughly $37 million of the $96 million in total cuts. Clearly these cuts would not be good for us. We need to work out a better way to trim the budget.
I was able to meet with several people at town meetings in Medford and Morristown on Saturday. We have a meeting scheduled for March 15 in Faribault and we are currently setting up meetings in Ellendale and Blooming Prairie. These meetings are a great opportunity to hear directly from you about what concerns you the most. I will continue to do my best to be your voice in St. Paul.
If you want to contact me, please call me at 1-800-292-0012, email me at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn, or write to me at 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155. I look forward to hearing from you!
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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