Dear friends,
Some updates from this week in Saint Paul:
Rally at the Rotunda for Health Freedom
On Monday, freedom-loving Minnesotans from around the state gathered to rally in the Capitol rotunda at the Citizens Council for Health Freedom rally. I had the honor of addressing the group, and voice the concerns I have about the Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) proposal moving through the legislature.
Democrats continue to fast-track this boondoggle piece of legislation and have repeatedly blocked Republican amendments that would give the HIX more transparency and oversight.
I will continue to fight against their attempts to ram through this shoddy piece of legislation, because Minnesotans deserve choice and freedom in their Health Care decisions.
Public Employee Contracts
On Thursday, the legislature took up the new public employee contracts. The Democrat plan gives government workers a 2-percent pay raise just one month after most Minnesotans received a 2-percent reduction in take-home pay thanks to a payroll tax increase. The contracts spend millions more taxpayer dollars, but fail to include much-needed reform to contain taxpayer costs.
The Governor and the DFL are yet again protecting the status quo, which is part of the reason they are calling for massive tax increases on middle-class Minnesotans.
Medicaid Expansion
This week, the DFL majority voted to accept Medicaid expansion provided under Obamacare. With this move, Democrats have basically given more control of our healthcare to the federal government. They’ve also managed to undo the numerous reforms that were enacted last session that slow the growth and costs of health care.
The Democrats have moved to add $4 billion dollars of unstable and likely temporary funding to our budget, and when that federal money disappears, you can bet the Democrats will be asking you to pay higher taxes to make up the difference.
I want to hear your feedback. If you have concerns or opinions on the issues being debated at the Capitol, I encourage you to write me at rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn or call my office at 651-296-4229.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Glenn Gruenhagen
State Representative, District 18B