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State Representative Ernie Leidiger
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4282
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
Looking Ahead: Continued Efforts on Reform and Town Hall Meetings
St. Paul – Last week my colleagues and I continued our efforts on reforms that enhance the freedoms associated with job growth and economic recovery.
On Wednesday, House Republicans advanced four tort reform bills. “Tort reform” is the legal term for “lawsuit abuse reform.”
Local businesses – the backbone of our economy – have continually demonstrated their frustrations with, and fears of, a lawsuit system that encourages frivolous lawsuits and windfall verdicts that can lead to layoffs, decreased production, or shutdowns.
They spoke; we listened.
In effect, our reforms are the first step to creating a more competitive business climate that encourages businesses to stay and grow in Minnesota. The bills aim to improve fairness in litigation, leading to speedier resolutions, all the while decreasing costs and increasing financial certainty for businesses and their customers.
What many do not understand is that when businesses incur unnecessary and burdensome costs, the consumer is forced to pay increasingly higher prices for products and services.
Just as occurred in the state of Texas, we are confident that these lawsuit abuse reforms will translate into more jobs and less expensive goods and services. We must allow businesses the freedom to create jobs and invest in innovation so that our economy thrives.
Our 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 am hopeful that Governor Dayton will also support these bills.
Looking ahead, I am expecting to hear Representative Keith Downey’s (R-Edina) bill in the State Government Finance Committee. House File 2033 proposes a study that compares executive- and legislative-branch worker pay and benefits to the private sector. Our ultimate goal is to restore confidence with you, the taxpayer, that state workers are compensated in line with the private sector.
Representative Doug Wardlow (R-Eagan) is moving through the committee process with House File 1831, which would establish limited moratorium on state rulemaking and regulations. The number of state rules – which often translate into burdensome regulations – has doubled over the years, and Minnesota cities and businesses alike are overwhelmed with constantly-changing rules developed by state agencies. Putting a "pause" on this process for a year will allow lawmakers to review current regulations and decide which ones can be repealed.
My colleague Kathy Lohmer (R-Lake Elmo) will soon present her bill, House File 1766, on the House floor. The bill will protect child care assistance funds from the deduction of union dues or fees. Numerous child care provider associations support the bill, as they do not believe union dues and fees should be withdrawn from state child care subsidies prior to receiving them. They want the freedom to decide how to pay for dues, should unionization occur.
Town Hall Meetings
On Saturday, February 11, I will be participating in town hall meetings across the district with Senator Julianne Ortman and Representative Joe Hoppe. A DNR representative will also be present to talk about important environmental issues.
I hope you can attend one of the events. Town halls provide a great opportunity to discuss what is important for our district and to share information about legislation that is working its way through the Capitol.
Chaska
10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Chaska Community Center
1661 Park Ridge Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
Norwood Young America
12:15 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Pizza Ranch
425 Merger St.
Norwood Young America, MN 55368
Waconia
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
American Legion Post 150
233 S. Olive Street
Waconia, MN 55387
As always, I thank you for the opportunity to serve District 34A in the state legislature. Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts regarding the 2012 legislative session. I can be reached at 651-296-4282 or by e-mail at rep.ernie.leidiger@house.mn.
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Representative Leidger can be reached by phone at 651-296-4282. He can also be contacted via e-mail at rep.ernie.leidiger@house.mn, or via U.S. Mail at 415 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. Rep. Leidiger also encourages constituents to sign up for his email updates at www.house.mn/34a.
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