Hello Friends!
Here is an update on what's happened this last week in St. Paul.
Our first week of session was very busy. Legislators have been gearing up to present bills and shape government, and some committees have already started to meet. All committees should be well underway by later this week.
This session, I have retained my position on all three of the committees I served on last year. I am now a senior member on the Public Safety Committee and the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, in addition to being promoted to Vice Chair of the Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee.
You may have heard on the news that the House Republicans tried to pass a bill on Thursday to provided immediate relief to folks who are getting fleeced by the changes in the health insurance industry. We had made a motion to declare an urgency in order to hear the bill immediately, instead of taking weeks to move it through the committee process. The bill would have given folks premium relief AND taken some first steps towards reforming the disastrous effects of Obama Care in Minnesota.
In order to declare an urgency and hear the bill right away, we needed a 2/3 majority of the House to vote yes. We needed the Democrats to vote with us to reach the 2/3 threshold.
The DFL house members refused join us in reaching a 2/3 majority. Instead, they opted to grind it through the process, delaying relief and reform for weeks to come.
Insurance relief and reform is coming to Minnesota. The Minnesota Republicans are dedicated to making this happen.
On a brighter note, I am working on over 2 dozen bills this month. These bills cover topics such as power plant construction, highway safety, tax relief and downsizing the scope of state government agencies.
The Republican majority grew in the Minnesota House after the last election; we now have 76 members. The Republicans also took control of the Minnesota Senate by a single member!
This means Minnesota is now in a good position to make some very positive changes for everyone in our great state!
Have a GREAT weekend!
God's peace,
Jim