February 20, 2018
Dear Neighbors,
Today is the first day of the 2018 legislative session. Despite the tumultuous last couple of months, I’m looking ahead and preparing for a fast paced, heavy workload. I’ll be serving on the same committees: Commerce and Regulatory Reform; Transportation Finance and will continue my role as DFL Committee Lead on the Veterans Affairs Division.
After hearing from constituents over the interim, here are a few items I’m committed to working on:
Delivering affordable, quality healthcare
Despite a strong economy, the rate of uninsured Minnesotans rose from 4.3 percent in 2015 to 6.3 percent, leaving approximately 349,000 Minnesotans without coverage, according to a Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota survey. Obtaining affordable, quality healthcare is a nonpartisan issue and it’s time to work together for a real solution that includes affordable, comprehensive and quality coverage for everyone.
Fixing 35W/494
Last year, my 35W/494 funding bill received an informational hearing in the Transportation Finance Committee but was not included in the final transportation bill. I’ve already started renewing my efforts to make this project a reality. On February 5, my legislative colleagues and I sent a bipartisan letter to the MnDOT commissioner urging the agency to move up consideration of construction. Additionally, I’ve drafted another bill that would dedicate bonding funds to the project as another mechanism to secure funding for it. I will urge the Republican Majority to prioritize the project.
Addressing MNLARS
Minnesotans deserve a government with working basic functions, like driver and vehicle registration, so it’s important that problems are resolved in a timely manner.
I want to find the most cost effective way to fix the system and will continue to seek solutions that are as fair and painless as possible for Minnesotans. I’m sure several bills and proposals will come before the Transportation Finance Committee; I’ll keep you updated on the progress.
I’d also like to invite you to ‘like’ my legislative Facebook page for additional Capitol updates. You can find the page at: https://www.facebook.com/RepPaulRosenthalMN, or use the search, ‘State Representative Paul Rosenthal’ on your home Facebook page.
Please always feel free to contact me anytime at 651-296-7803 or by email at rep.paul.rosenthal@house.mn. I appreciate your feedback and ideas.
Sincerely,
Paul