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State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
LINE-ITEM VETO CUTS $17.8 MILLION FROM MERCY HOSPITAL IN COON RAPIDS
After announcing yesterday he plans to resolve the state budget shortfall alone without public or legislative input, Governor Tim Pawlenty eliminated General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) in Minnesota.
With one line item veto late Thursday night, the governor cut $381 million that was dedicated exclusively to treat the poorest people in the state - including veterans and senior citizens. Those cuts eliminate care for 30,000 Minnesotans and threaten the jobs of thousands more.
Locally, Governor Pawlenty’s line-item veto amounts to a $17.8 million cut to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
The following is a statement from Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL - Coon Rapids):
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"A devastating $17.8 million cut to Mercy Hospital will have a serious and lasting impact on our community. Mercy Hospital is Coon Rapids’ second largest employer, and these deep cuts will almost certainly mean significant layoffs - putting even more hard working people out of a job.
Right now, during the worst economic recession in more than 60 years, we need to be doing everything possible to keep our community working. Over 3,200 people in Coon Rapids are already unemployed, and these deep cuts will only make things worse.
The legislature offered two alternatives to avoid these cuts: 1) increasing the alcohol tax 5 cents for the first time in 22 years; and 2) a 30 cents a day income tax increase on those earning more than $300,000 a year. Still, the Governor preferred to lay off hospital employees and deny medical care Minnesota’s poorest citizens, many who are senior citizens and veterans.
It is unconscionable to consider what these cuts mean to real Minnesotans; from those who will lose their jobs to those who will lose their health care. Minnesotans expect better and they deserve better. I’ll keep fighting for our jobs, our hospitals, and the health and safety of our community - because that’s what I was elected to do."
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