Our Senate Republican Caucus unveiled our 2020 legislative agenda a few weeks ago. We care about all the issues important to the Minnesotans we serve. Our vision for the upcoming session includes a lot of priorities, but for our district I will be focusing specifically on childcare and transportation. As chair of the State Government committee I am advocating for election security advancements beyond just computers.

Childcare

85% of rural Minnesotans rely on family childcare providers, where care is provided in homes and are largely women-owned small businesses. But they are being driven out of business because of unnecessary bureaucratic regulation. As a result, parents in rural communities struggle to have access to quality service.

To help resolve this problem, I have carried multiple bills signed into law to decrease regulations on behalf of parents so children receive safe, responsible, and affordable care. As Co-Chair of the Family Child Care Task Force this past year, many more proposals have been presented. I look forward to more progress this session working with providers, parents, and others to address this issue.

Transportation

We have successfully funded roads and bridges without a gas tax increase, and we will continue that trend this year. We will work together to get it done. Quality roads and bridges benefit all Minnesotans. Our district needs safe and efficient transportation for the commuters and farmers that make up our communities.

Last year, we funded a major project of $560 million for Highway 169 and also expanded Interstate 94 to six lanes from Maple Grove to Clearwater expect for portions between Albertville and Monticello, which I will work on in the 2020 session. Last year, we successfully improved transportation infrastructure without the Governor’s proposed 20-cent gas tax, and we still have $1.3 billion surplus! Being responsible with your tax dollars pays off. We are doing good things for our transportation system and we will keep at it!

Election Security

Elected officials are a fundamental part of the government system. This means we need secure and well-run elections. Cybersecurity is important, but so are things like provisional ballots and voter ID which many states have already implemented. We are able to accomplish these advancements as well. We care about you exercising your right to govern through the representatives you choose. The integrity of elections is vital to our constitutional process.

The full Vision 2020 agenda also includes priorities for greater jobs, clean water, support for farmers and veterans, and addressing workforce needs for a growing economy. The 2020 session begins on February 11th. You can read the full Vision 2020 agenda here.

As always, please reach out to me and share your concerns or ideas for the 2020 session. You can reach me at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn or 651-296-5655. I look forward to hearing from you!

Mary