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STEVENS COUNTY REPUBLICANS 29841 US HWY 59 MORRIS, ,MN. 56267 |
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SENATE HEALTH CARE BILL NEEDS MAJOR REFORM
TO THE EDITOR: Because of the large number of contacts I have received regarding federal health care reform, I recently joined with a number of other state senators to contact Senators Klobuchar and Franken. In the letter, we stressed the need for a reduction of premiums on hardworking middle class families, as well as make improvements to quality of care and accessibility. We are concerned that the Senate bill does not move measurably in this direction, while sacrificing care for senior citizens. Furthermore, the bill would likely reduce competition, increases taxes on small businesses, directly or indirectly fund abortions and hurt Minnesota’s medical devices manufacturing industry. We also strongly appealed to Minnesota’s senators to demand that real reform include true market competition including buying of insurance across state lines, allowing of individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, and enacting lawsuit reform. Writing a letter, like my colleagues and I have done, is something you can do too. I would encourage all Minnesotans who recognize how much this would cost our state to contact our U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Franken and urge them not to support this healthcare plan which would hurt Minnesota. You can read a copy of the letter at my website: www.senate.mn/senatoringebrigtsen. Please click on the press release link to view the letters. State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at 651-297-8063, by mail at 123 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn. |
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A New Year’s Resolution Health and wealth for Minnesotans in 2010
Dear Friends: This will likely be my last email message to you this calendar year, and I wanted to make sure I had the opportunity to pass on a heartfelt “Merry Christmas” greeting from my family to yours. I also have a few Capitol updates. During the past few weeks, some House and Senate members of the Health and Human Services committee called for a reinstatement of funding of the General Assistance Medical Care program, which was discontinued this year as part of the state’s budget cutting. After the cut, many recipients were moved into the state’s MinnesotaCare health program and can receive health care with premiums of just $6 a month and co-pays of $3-4. For $36 a year, many of Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens are receiving health insurance, showing again that Minnesota is leading the way in the nation in affordable healthcare. Our state’s current biennial operating budget contains a $1.2 billion shortfall that we must balance by the end of session this spring. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said this week that he would propose spending cuts to legislators before February 4th. This will allow us to act quickly to make budget adjustments and get on with the other work of this shorter non-budget session. We also need to begin addressing the deficit for fiscal years 2012-2013 that is predicted to grow to $5.4 billion. One common sense way to control the budget is to stop spending money we don’t have. The Governor has proposed and I am supporting a constitutional amendment that will cap the state’s general fund budget at the actual amount of revenue received during the previous budget period. Minnesota state budget has increased on average by 20 percent per two-year budget cycle from 1960 to 2003. This far exceeds normal growth rates and is unsustainable. If you made $45,000 a year, you wouldn’t plan on spending $50,000 or $55,000 the following year with the hope of getting a raise. Unfortunately, this is how our current state budget system operates. I believe this constitutional amendment is a common sense approach in controlling our current out of control state spending. I believe that this proposal will strike a chord with the people of Minnesota and hope that the Legislature will give voters the opportunity to have their say next November. I hope we can have a fair debate on this issue in the Legislature, in our coffee shops, and on the pages of our hometown papers. Until the New Year, be safe, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday season! Sincerely, Bill Ingebrigtsen State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at 651-297-8063, by mail at 123 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn. |
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Don’t forget, Precinct Caucuses on February 2nd!
Dear Friends: On Tuesday, February 2, Minnesota citizens will begin the first official step of the 2010 election process. Across the state, Minnesota’s major political parties will gather at the grassroots level for precinct caucuses to begin the process of choosing the candidates and issues they will support this November. Precinct caucuses are neighborhood meetings arranged by voting precinct. These gatherings allow like-minded citizens to voice their views on major issues facing the state, from the solution to the budget deficit to education funding levels. Anyone is welcome to attend as an observer, and people eligible to vote prior to November 2, 2010 may participate in the caucus discussions. Regardless of your political affiliation, I hope you will take time to attend your precinct caucus. These meetings offer one of the best opportunities to have a hands-on impact on the issues and leaders who will be showcased in this fall’s elections. If you are not sure where your precinct caucuses are being held, call the county auditor or go online to http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state senator. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent you and your family in St. Paul, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. Sincerely, Bill Ingebrigtsen State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at 651-297-8063, by mail at 123 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn.
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