As the 2019 legislative session officially convened, Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester) joined the Senate Republican majority in outlining top priorities for the coming weeks. The priorities, which includes childcare, health care, mental health, government accountability, and taxes, indicate areas of bipartisan agreement that will be considered early in the session.

“I’m glad to be back for another legislative session representing the people of Dodge and Olmsted counties. We’ve got a lot to work to do in making sure Minnesota families can thrive,” said Senator Senjem. “We’re getting to work right away on bipartisan solutions that work for Minnesotans, like addressing mental health, the childcare crisis, and health care costs.”

Early priorities include:

• Supporting mental health.There will be a stronger legislative response to the growing problem of mental health treatment, especially in our schools and rural communities.
• Making childcare more accessible and affordable.Minnesota parents are struggling to find, and afford, childcare. New legislation will address the regulatory overreach causing these problems and encourage new child care providers to start up.
• Lowering health care costs.Legislation will be considered that offers patients more freedom in choosing their doctor, the flexibility to shop around for the best value, and makes health care billing more transparent.
• A more effective, accountable government.Government must be held accountable and stop waste, particularly in the areas of childcare fraud and statewide I.T. failures.
• Making our tax code simpler and fairer.In addition to simplifying tax filing by conforming to federal tax laws, the legislature will consider proposals to simplify the tax code and reduce taxes for Minnesota families.

Senator Senjem will continue to serve as chairman of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and vice chair of the Senate Taxes Committee. In addition, Senator Senjem will serve on the Energy and Utilities, Environment and Natural Resources, and Transportation committees.

“With a new governor and new leadership in the house of representatives, I’m hopeful for a good session of bold ideas, rich debate, and bipartisan results. Working together, we can get things done,” Senator Senjem continued.

Senator David Senjem, of Rochester, is in his fifth term representing, which includes communities in Dodge and Olmsted counties. He serves as chairman of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and is a former majority and minority leader.