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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R)

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News from Representative Gruenhagen 02-11-2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

Dear friends,

Some updates from Saint Paul:

Health Insurance Exchange

Democrats once again turned their backs on the middle class and small business owners as they voted to give the Dayton Administration’s Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) unlimited power. Democrats want seven unelected Saint Paul bureaucrats to dictate the health insurance market without any oversight from the legislature.

This unlimited power will inevitably lead to unlimited corruption. Moreover, the HIX is costing Minnesotans hundreds of millions of dollars to build and operate, yet nowhere in the bill does the HIX assure lower health care costs for individuals, lower costs throughout the health care system, an expansion of coverage for Minnesotans, or improved quality of health care. This bill is bad for Minnesota taxpayers, and a step in the wrong direction for our world-leading healthcare system.

State of the State Address

On Wednesday, Governor Dayton came before a joint legislative session to give his annual State of the State address. Before the speech, House Republicans held a roundtable with Minnesota job creators from our districts to hear their concerns about the Governor's budget proposal.

This gave legislators the opportunity to hear from Minnesota’s job creators about the best policies to foster job growth. The message was clear: we need a business climate that encourages companies to expand and invest in our state, not pack up and head for Wisconsin or North Dakota. Governor Dayton’s proposal is a step in the wrong direction. The Governor's speech provided more of the same tired rhetoric about tax-and-spend government that simply does not create jobs. I hope the Governor will get to work on a serious proposal that will help continue to grow jobs and our economy rather than growing government.

Gun Bills

All week, rather than focus on creating jobs or working on the budget, the DFL held hearings on radical and divisive gun bills. I have received hundreds of emails from constituents over the past several days who are concerned about DFL efforts to curb our Second Amendment rights. I am a fervent supporter of the Second Amendment, and will staunchly oppose any legislation that infringes on those rights. I encourage constituents to continue contacting their legislators, and urge them to oppose these misguided efforts.

Constituent Meetings

This week I had the pleasure of meeting constituents from the Minnesota Nurses Association, the Minnesota State University Student Association, and the University of Minnesota Student Association as a part of their legislative days in St. Paul. I enjoyed hearing from these groups about their priorities this session.

I also met with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and had the chance to speak with Mayor Steve Cook from Hutchinson, and Mary Christensen, a Council Member from Hutchinson.

If you are coming to Saint Paul at any time in the near future and would like to schedule a meeting, please contact me at rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn or at 651-296-4229.

Have a great week,

Glenn Gruenhagen
State Representative, District 18B