Dear editor,
The Legislature may not be in session, but my schedule has been packed with interesting, productive local events and meetings. Among them:
The Military Advisory Group (MAG) met and discussed options on making Minnesota a veteran-friendly state and reported on trip to the commissioning of the USS Minnesota.
I also attended a long-term care roundtable event. State and federal officials (and/or staff) participated in the event and local care providers expressed great concern for funding shortages they are experiencing.
A large number of providers attended the meeting and said Obamacare will increase their premiums by hundreds of thousands of dollars, crippling their businesses. They already have been operating on razor-thin margins and have struggled to retain employees in recent years. Providers simply don’t know what to do and are looking for answers as to how they can possibly continue providing their incredibly important services under this combination of funding shortages and ever-increasing tax burdens.
Care providers are appalled that Minnesota raised taxes by billions of dollars this year, yet did little for nursing homes and nothing for assisted living. I made that point on behalf of providers during the last legislative session and continue to agree with them. We need to do more.
Another event I attended was at the Rockville County Park and Nature Preserve to see recently completed work. The park was established in 2007 and work this summer added trails, restrooms, an area for horses, a group campsite, improvements for snowmobiling, and interpretative signs.
It’s an impressive park, which now encompasses 284 acres and, combined with Eagle Park, stretches almost three miles along the Sauk River shoreline. I encourage local citizens to visit.
I also recently met with MnDOT District 3 and the city of Rockville to discuss Highway 23 access. The same day, I met with MnDOT Commissioner Charles Zelle for lunch and then attended a town hall meeting to discuss transportation issues in our area. A key topic during the town hall meeting was expanding Interstate 94 by adding a lane from St Cloud to Rogers each way and the funding challenges that we face in doing so.
The Roosevelt Boys and Girls Club Grand Opening and Appreciation Dinner recently took place in St. Cloud and I was pleased to attend. The club recently met its goal of raising $1.7 million to expand and renovate its club and hosted a grand opening to celebrate. It is great to see hard work pay off for a group that has such a positive influence on our area.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jeff Howe