On the first day of the 2019 legislative session, Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) 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.

“As the new session begins, we’re hitting the ground running,” said Senator Lang. “We’ve got a lot to work to do in making sure Minnesota families can thrive,” said Senator Lang. “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 Lang will continue to serve as vice chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. He will also serve on the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance and Policy committees, as well as the Environment and Natural Resources and the Transportation committees and the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

“With a new administration in St. Paul, I’m hopeful we can start with a blank slate as we deal with the real challenges facing Minnesotans – and stay away from divisive issues with little bipartisan support. We have a real opportunity for bipartisanship, and I’m very optimistic at what we will get accomplished this session,” Senator Lang continued.

Senator Andrew Lang, of Olivia, is in his first term representing District 17, which includes communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties.