Lowering the cost of health care, affordable childcare, & mental health among priorities

During the first week of the 2019 legislative session, Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) joined his Minnesota Senate colleagues in unveiling their top priorities for the upcoming session, placing a focus on Minnesota families.

“From the soaring cost of health care to a lack of affordable childcare, Minnesota families make tough financial decisions daily,” said Senator Pratt, who also serves as an Assistant Senate Majority Leader. “Families deserve a break. This session, we look to deliver Minnesotans a balanced budget that addresses the rising cost of health care, ensures coverage for those with preexisting conditions, and returns hard-earned dollars to families through conforming Minnesota’s tax code with the recent federal changes.”

In addition to health care and tax conformity, top priorities include addressing Minnesota’s statewide childcare shortage, combating the growing mental health crisis, and holding government accountable in the areas of child care fraud, Minnesota’s DMV system MNLARS, and other statewide IT failures. Further, Senator Pratt intends to work across the aisle to tackle the growing costs of special education funding and shrinking the “skills gap” in Minnesota’s workforce.

“While Minnesota’s unemployment is the lowest in nearly two decades, employers consistently face a lack of qualified applicants for good-paying jobs while potential employees often face barriers to entering the workforce,” added Senator Pratt, who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy. “My fellow Senators and I will again look to support workforce training opportunities in our state, including apprenticeship and internship programs, so that all Minnesotans can succeed.”