Priorities set on Minnesota families

On Tuesday, Minnesota Senate Republicans unveiled an agenda that puts families at the top of the priority list in the 2019 session.
“Helping families with the cost and availability of childcare and health care with an emphasis on mental health care will be the focus of Senate files one through three,” said Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls).
Finding and eliminating waste and fraud in state government and aligning the tax code with the federal government round out the first five bills to be introduced in the Senate.
“The first bills of the legislative session are focused on making life easier for Minnesota families,” said Senator Dahms.
“Minnesotans are struggling to afford child care and health care. They want better mental health resources and are concerned about government transparency and accountability.” Top items include:
•Mental health — Senate Republicans promise a stronger legislative response to the growing problem families are facing regarding mental health, especially in our schools and on the farm.
•Childcare — Senate Republicans held interim hearings around the state on the costs and availability of childcare and will propose legislation to help families based on this public feedback.
•Healthcare costs — Senate Republicans will build upon their success lowering health insurance premiums by offering new proposals on transparent health care billing and guaranteeing coverage for preexisting conditions.
•Government accountability — Senate Republicans will have several proposals to hold government more accountable and stop wasting money in the areas of childcare fraud, MNLARS, and other statewide IT failures.
•Tax conformity — Senate Republicans will use the opportunity of conforming to the new federal tax law to simplify the tax code and reduce taxes for Minnesota families and businesses.
Senate Republicans will roll out a more detailed and robust legislative agenda for 2019 after the February budget forecast.
“As we put together a responsible state budget, we’ll do it in a way that confronts the challenges facing Minnesota families,” continued Senator Dahms.
“The goal is to meet the needs of all Minnesotans and particularly those in Greater Minnesota.”