On Monday, Minnesota Senate Republicans announced their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. The agenda, known as ‘Vision 2020’, is a series of principles and priorities that will guide public policy work during the 2020 legislative session, which convenes on February 11.

“As the only politically divided state legislature in the nation, working across party lines is a requirement for success. Last year, we passed an historic, balanced state budget that made historic investments in education and transportation, funded public programs proven to yield results, and protected the constitutional rights of all Minnesotans,” said Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), chair of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. “Our Vision 2020 agenda outlines areas where I believe there will be bipartisan support, including for an affordable capital investment bill that focuses on local infrastructure, oversight of a bureaucracy wrought with mismanagement, and relief for taxpayers across Minnesota. I am looking forward to building on last year’s bipartisan success.”

Vision 2020 is an open-ended agenda that will be used to guide the Senate Republican majority’s priorities during the 2020 session, when the legislature is expected to consider a capital investment bill, a supplemental budget, tax relief, and more. In addition, the Senate is expected to consider measures related to health care costs, public safety, roads and bridges, public infrastructure, and more. The full Vision 2020 agenda can be found on the Minnesota Senate Republicans website. 

“Our state’s budget surplus – which is estimated to be more than $1.3 billion – puts us in a healthy fiscal position, but it also means the government is collecting too much. With the surplus, I believe now is the time for us to consider additional tax relief for families, farmers, and small businesses, a drug reimportation program that affords Minnesotans access to cheaper prescription drugs, enhancements to public safety, and an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to clean energy. My constituents expect us to work together to get things done – and I expect to deliver,” said Senator Pratt.

Senator Eric Pratt, of Prior Lake, represents Scott County in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee and is an assistant majority leader.