Dear Friends,
The legislature is in the process of putting the finishing touches on the 2014 legislative session. One of the last items passed is the bonding bill, which allows the state to essentially borrow money by issuing bonds to fund construction projects and other projects around the state.
The bonding bill includes some good projects like roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure projects that are the proper role of government. Unfortunately, the bonding bill also includes tens of millions in wasteful spending projects like tens of millions for improvements to Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, and snowmaking equipment up north. We shouldn't be charging money to the state's credit card for projects like this, especially when there are dozens of roads and bridges around the state in need of repair.
ObamaCare to Cost Schools
Recently the non-partisan Minnesota Management and Budget Office issued a report indicating that ObamaCare will cost Minnesota schools more than $200 million in compliance-related costs. This is yet another unintended consequence of this disastrous law, and another unfunded mandate on our schools. Republicans have authored legislation that would reimburse schools for ObamaCare-related costs, but Democrats refused to even give the bill a hearing.
It's no surprise Democrats don't want to talk about ObamaCare. In 2013, they couldn't stop talking about its supposed benefits. But after the failed rollout of Minnesota's ObamaCare exchange known as MNsure, they blocked Republican attempts at every turn to try to fix and make improvements on the disastrous website that caused headaches and frustration for thousands of Minnesota families.
They blocked efforts to increase transparency and accountability, as well as a measure to give families more time to compare plans and review rates for health plans when open enrollment begins later this year. It's disappointing that after forcing ObamaCare on Minnesota that Democrats refuse to take responsibility to help fix the disaster they've created.
Town Hall Meetings
Later this month and during the first week of June I will be holding a series of Town Hall meetings around the district with Senator Scott Newman. I hope you'll mark your calendars and attend one or more of the meetings that is most convenient for you. Senator Newman and I will give an update on the bills that passed during the 2014 session, and take your questions and listen to feedback.
Details (please note the town halls take place on three different dates: May 27, May 28, and June 07):
Hutchinson
Tuesday May 27
6:30PM-7:30PM
Ridgewater College Room 141
2 Century Ave SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Glencoe
Wednesday May 28
4:00PM-5:00PM
Gert & Erma Coffee
1110 Hennepin Ave N
Glencoe, MN 55336
Silver Lake
Wednesday May 28
5:30PM-6:30PM
Molly’s Café
808 Minnesota 7
Silver Lake, MN 55381
Stewart
Saturday June 07
10:00AM
Cactus Jack’s
260 South Street
Stewart, MN 55385
Henderson
Saturday June 07
12:30PM
Henderson Road Haus
514 Main Street
Henderson, MN 56044
Thank you for the privilege of representing our community at the legislature. I have fought all session on your behalf and am grateful for the trust you've placed in me to bring the priorities and values of our community to Saint Paul. Please keep in contact during the interim, and don't ever hesitate to contact me by emailing rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn or calling my office at 651-296-4229.
Have a great weekend,
Glenn