Dear Neighbors,
The first full week of the legislative session is now in the books. It’s good to get back in the swing of things as committees have now started to meet regularly. One of the most important tasks facing the legislature this year is putting together a new two-year state budget, so this will be a big focus in House finance committees. Committee work this week featured informational hearings and overviews of state agencies as we began working on budgets and considering the issues facing each committee.
On Tuesday evening, I had the opportunity to attend the Coon Rapids City Council meeting. I enjoy attending these meetings and it’s great to discuss with city councilmembers the ways – at both the city and state level – in which we can make Coon Rapids a better place to call home.
Before the week gets underway, I wanted to give you a quick update on a major topic surrounding healthcare.
Sick Tax Proposal
Earlier this week, I joined my House Republicans colleagues as we urged Governor Walz and Democrats to ditch their plan to reinstate Minnesota’s sick tax. The sick tax – also called the provider tax – is a tax on most patient services in our state, including things like baby deliveries, chemotherapy treatments, routine doctor visits, and emergency room visits. By taxing almost all patient services, the sick tax would raise healthcare costs for Minnesotans by roughly $600 million per year.
Democrats spent the summer and fall talking about lowering healthcare costs, yet a proposal like this one certainly contradicts that message. Instead of reforms to make healthcare more affordable for Minnesotans, they are now proposing increasing taxes on healthcare by $600 million.
In addition, with the $1.5 billion budget surplus that our state currently has, there is no reason to raise taxes. Likewise, at a time when healthcare costs are already too high for many families, we shouldn’t be considering restoring the sick tax, which would hurt Minnesotans with already mounting medical bills.
Simply stated, raising healthcare taxes is the wrong approach to making healthcare more affordable, and I will continue to seek better solutions to this very important issue. This will continue to be a topic of discussion at the legislature so stay tuned for more information on this as the session progresses.
Local Events
Best of luck to the Andover girls and boys basketball teams in their games against Robbinsdale Armstrong tonight! The girls play at Robbinsdale Armstrong at 7:00pm. The boys’ game is at home against Robbinsdale Armstrong and also begins at 7:00pm. If you’re still looking for something to do tonight, this is a great way to support our student-athletes as they represent our community.
If you’re looking to get rid of some old appliances or electronics, you can drop them off at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center tomorrow, January 19 from 9am-3pm. Click here for more information.
Please Contact Me
If you have any questions or thoughts on any legislative issue, please feel free to contact me. I can be reach by email me at rep.peggy.scott@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4231.
Have a great weekend.
My best,
Peggy