State Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) unveiled his early session priorities Tuesday as the legislature reconvened for the 2019 session. Sen. Jasinski said he will continue focusing on priorities that affect working Minnesotans, such as improving child care affordability and access, supporting individuals and families struggling with mental health issues, eliminating waste and fraud within state government, and aligning Minnesota’s tax code with recent federal changes.

“Just like 2017 and 2018, I am excited to hit the ground running as the 2019 session begins,” said Sen. Jasinski. “I spent all summer and fall traveling the district listening to what is on your mind – these initial priorities only reflect a fraction of your concerns, but they are among the things I heard about most frequently. We have a lot to do, and I look forward to getting back to work.”

The first five priorities unveiled by Senate Republicans are as follows:

• Supporting 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.
• Making child care more affordable and accessible – During statewide listening sessions over the summer, Senate Republicans heard from parents struggling to find and afford child care. New legislation will address the regulatory overreach that causes these problems and encourage new child care providers to start up.
• Lowering health care costs – Senate Republicans will build upon their recent success in lowering health insurance premiums by offering new proposals that allow patients more freedom to choose their doctor, shop around for the best value for their health care dollar, and make health care billing more transparent.
• Making government more effective and accountable, and eliminating fraud – Senate Republicans will introduce several proposals to hold government more accountable and stop wasting money in the areas of child care fraud, MNLARS and other statewide IT failures.
• Making our tax code simpler and fairer – In addition to making tax filing easier by conforming to the new federal tax law, the Senate Republicans’ proposal will simplify the tax code and reduce taxes for Minnesota families.

In addition to his role as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, this year Sen. Jasinski will serve as an assistant majority leader and as a majority whip. In addition, Sen. Jasinski will serve on the Capital Investment Committee, the Local Government Committee, the State Government Committee, and the E-12 Education Finance and Policy Committee.

Sen. Jasinski can be reached by phone at 651-296-0284, by email at Sen.John.Jasinski@senate.mn; or at his office in room 2101 of the Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Ave, St Paul.