On Tuesday, Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) joined the Senate Republican majority in outlining top priorities as the 2019 legislative session officially convened. 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.

“With the legislature officially back in session, I’m looking forward to another year representing the people of McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties in the Minnesota Senate,” said Senator Newman. “We’ll tackle a host of issues that will be challenging, but important – and with a new governor and new house majority, we have a real opportunity for bipartisanship. As we put together a responsible state budget, we’re going to have to work together.”

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 child care 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.

In addition to serving as chairman of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, Senator Newman will also serve on the Capital Investment, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State Government Finance and Policy and Elections committees.

“In addition to these priorities, we’re going to wrestle with how to fund transportation over the long term, how to address the MNLARS mess, and how to bring accountability back to government. I’m confident we will find ways to work together and deliver for our constituents,” Senator Newman continued.

Senator Scott Newman, of Hutchinson, is in his third term representing District 18, which includes communities in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties. Senator Newman serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.