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State Representative Kathy Lohmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4244
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
E-Mail Update: Small Business Caucus and Health Insurance Reform
Dear Neighbors,
Representatives on both sides of the aisle agree that there is still much to be done in the way of legislative reform for our small businesses.
As part of the House Bipartisan Small Business Caucus, I joined with Republicans and Democrats on Monday to announce several proposals that would improve Minnesota’s small business climate.
In short, we aim to:
· Remove barriers and regulations that inhibit job growth and business expansion
· Reduce the tax burden for small businesses (Minnesota is ranked 45th in the nation as having one of the worst state business tax climates)
· Enhance programs that will spur entrepreneurial innovation
Time and time again, small business owners in our district and across the state have told me about the challenges they face, not necessarily because of decreased economic activity, but because the state has made it difficult for them to succeed.
These small entities are our economic backbone and provide much of the innovation that grows our private market. We need them to stay in Minnesota, and more importantly, we need to let them know we’re on their side.
To learn about even more reforms that are moving through the committee process as part of the legislative Reform 2.0 agenda, please click here.
Health Insurance Reform
On Monday my fellow legislators and I held a press conference about the introduction of a free market health insurance reform bill.
Minnesota is a recognized national health care leader, and we have the tools and programs in place to provide uninsured Minnesotans appropriate health care coverage. This bill would propose the creation of unified personal health premium accounts, allowing individuals to pool money from multiples sources in order to afford insurance premiums in the private market. Individuals and their employers, as well as family members, charitable organizations, and other sources, would have the capacity to add funds to these accounts. In short, this bill would further allow us to provide coverage in a way that is sustainable and effective, while using the strengths of the state’s private market.
Did you know that only about 9 percent of Minnesotans are uninsured, and of that pool, 55 percent do not enroll in programs that are available to them? At the end of the day, we have to ask: Why do we need ObamaCare? Why do we need a federal mandate accompanied by burdensome costs and regulations when we have the tools in place here? I would argue that we don’t need a federal mandate. We can meet Minnesotans’ health care needs in a consumer-centered, private sector way without the added burden imposed by ObamaCare.
Capitol Conversations
I will be holding ‘Capitol Conversations’ appointments this Friday, March 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call Kate Hensing at 651-296-9471 to set up a 15-minute appointment in the district at Gorman’s Restaurant in Lake Elmo.
This is your opportunity to share any concerns or ask questions regarding state government on a one-to-one basis. ‘Capitol Conversations’ will take place every other Friday: March 23, April 6, and April 20.
Please feel free to contact me at any time. I always welcome your calls and e-mails. Together we can work to make government smaller and more efficient.
Best regards,
Kathy
News Items
- Community Update: Lily Lake Safety Concerns - (Posted: 2012-08-22 00:00:00)
- GOV. SIGNS REP. LOHMER'S HUMAN SERVICES EXPANSION BILL FOR CHILDREAN WHO ARE DEAF, DEAFBLIND, OR HARD OF HEARING - (Posted: 2012-07-02 00:00:00)
- E-Mail Update: Happy Fourth of July! - (Posted: 2012-06-26 00:00:00)
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