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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
A Call to Caucus
Dear Friends,
In this edition:
1. Precinct Caucuses
2. Lawsuit Abuse Reforms
3. Peppin Report
1. Precinct Caucuses
Area residents have an opportunity to take part in the political process by attending their precinct caucus on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. I encourage everyone to become civically engaged at one of these important meetings – this is your chance to participate at the grassroots level and make your voice heard.
As you know, 2012 is an important year for elections. Voters will be responsible for electing the President, one of Minnesota’s United States Senators, members of Congress, and lawmakers in both the Minnesota State House and Senate. Precinct caucuses provide the first step to this momentous occasion.
Precinct caucuses are biannual political events that allow the public to engage in conversation about important public policy issues, provide input on political party platforms, and impact the selection process of 2012 candidates. As you participate in the precinct caucus, you are contributing to our democracy in its purest form.
To find the location of your precinct caucus, please use the “Caucus Finder” on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. The site also details caucus specifics and orients newcomers to this year’s electoral events.
For more information, you may also contact the Minnesota Republican party at 651-222-0022 or visit www.mngop.com. Likewise, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party can be reached at 651-293-1200 or www.dfl.org and information from the Independence Party can be found at www.independenceminnesota.org or 651.487.9700.
Whether you are a caucus veteran or a first-time voter, make sure you attend and take part in this civic process!
2. Lawsuit Abuse Reform
On Wednesday, House Republicans advanced four lawsuit abuse bills. These reforms are the first step to creating a more competitive business climate that encourages businesses to stay and grow in Minnesota.
Many of our small, local businesses – the backbone of our economy – have been reluctant to create jobs and invest in innovation because they are hampered by a fear of frivolous lawsuits and windfall verdicts that can lead to layoffs, decreased production, or shutdowns. When businesses incur unnecessary and burdensome costs, the consumer is forced to pay increasingly higher prices for products and services. These reforms aim to improve fairness in litigation, leading to speedier resolutions, all the while decreasing costs and increasing financial certainty for businesses and their customers.
The reforms are supported by Minnesotans for Lawsuit Reform, which is comprised of 45 regional Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations that together represent more than 58,000 employers in Minnesota.
I invite you to visit www.reform2.mn to learn more about our pro-jobs and pro-business reform efforts.
3. Peppin Report
My most recent “Peppin Report” was published in local papers this week. For those who may have missed it, I have reprinted it below.
Have a great weekend,
Joyce
PEPPIN REPORT
LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNDERWAY
PEPPIN TO CHAMPION INITIATIVES TO REFORM GOVERNMENT, PROMOTE PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH
St. Paul – State Representative Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) and fellow Republican representatives convened the 2012 legislative session with a slate of initiatives designed to restore economic confidence, grow the private sector, reform education and health care, and reduce the size, scope and cost of government.
“As chair of the Government Operations and Elections Committee and author of several reform initiatives, I look forward to continuing my efforts to bring structural change to government that not only saves taxpayers money, but also promotes free market job growth,” Peppin stated.
The Republican-led Legislature heads into the new year with a projected $876 million surplus created in part by a partial economic uptick and the passage of a fiscally responsible budget.
Peppin said the 2012 focus will continue to be job growth and economic development. “Our jobs agenda will expand economic freedom through the removal of red tape, excessive commercial taxation, and obstructive barriers that inhibit job growth and entrepreneurial innovation,” Peppin explained. “When we allow our local businesses the freedom to take risks and add jobs, we increase the overall quality of life for Minnesotans.”
Another additional topic to be discussed this year includes a possible capital investment, or bonding bill. Capital investment bills use the state’s credit authority to issue bonds to pay for improvements to colleges and universities, prisons, bridges, wastewater treatment plans and other public safety and environmental projects.
“It is important lawmakers take a close look at the Governor’s capital investment recommendations to ensure they have statewide significance. I am concerned that many of the Governor’s bonding proposals are strictly local projects that favor powerful political constituencies and run up debt on the state’s credit card. That is not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars,” Peppin stated.
The legislature also has another opportunity to pass a redistricting bill this session. Every ten years, the legislature is tasked with the job of redrawing legislative district lines to reflect changes in population. Due to strong growth in the northwest suburbs, Peppin’s current district, 32A, is overpopulated and will be reduced in size. The legislature must pass a bill before February 21 or a court drawn plan will be implemented.
“I look forward to hearing from constituents and welcome your calls, email and visits to the Capitol this session,” Peppin said.
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: NW SUBURBAN FAMILIES WILL BE HIT HARD UNDER DAYTON AND DFL BUDGET - (Posted: May 28 2013 4:35PM)
- Rep. Peppin’s bill would lessen unfair fiscal disparities tax burden on Rogers - (Posted: Apr 3 2013 9:36AM)
- PEPPIN REPORT: FEBRUARY FORECAST REVEALS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: Feb 28 2013 12:00AM)
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