ST. PAUL – State lawmakers hit the ground running during the first week of session according to State Representative Dave Hancock (R-Bemidji). In all, 153 bills were introduced from both Democrats and Republicans, with the first five designated as the top priorities for the Minnesota House majority.
“It’s exciting to get back to work,” Hancock said. “The good news about our first five bills is that all of them are extremely beneficial to northern Minnesota.”
Hancock said those proposals include growing better-paying jobs; giving every child a world-class education; protecting the quality of life for our aging residents; refocusing some of our budget dollars towards road and bridge repair; and ensuring fair access and affordability in health care.
Hancock said most, if not all of these bills will be debated in the Minnesota House Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee. As a member of this committee, Hancock said he will work closely with Vice-Chairman Steve Green (R-Fosston) to ensure the needs of northern Minnesota are not ignored.
“These proposals offer the chance for northern Minnesota citizens to be specifically targeted for economic and workforce development,” Hancock said. “The key to growing our economy is through permitting and regulatory reform, creating a better business climate, and tax reduction. We don't need more tax dollars, but we definitely need to be more accountable with the tax dollars we do have and use them wisely.”