Holding government accountable, affordable childcare, & health care among priorities
During the first week of the 2019 legislative session, Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) joined his Minnesota Senate colleagues in unveiling their top priorities for the upcoming session, placing a focus on Minnesota families.
“I hear from neighbors in our community about the daily struggle to make ends meet,” said Senator Koran. “From over taxation, to the rising cost of health care, to a lack of affordable childcare, family budgets are being squeezed. This session, my fellow legislators and I aim to deliver a balanced state budget that grows the wallets of Minnesotans while investing in the issues that matter most.”
Legislators identified tackling the growing mental health crisis, lowering the cost of health care through price transparency, addressing the lack of affordable childcare options in Greater Minnesota, and conforming Minnesota’s tax code to the federal tax code to avoid filing headaches and pass on savings to families, as top priorities this session. Additionally, Senator Koran and his colleagues announced they will introduce several proposals to hold government more accountable and stop wasting money in the areas of child care fraud, Minnesota’s DMV program MNLARS, and other statewide IT failures.
“From childcare fraud to neglecting complaints of elder abuse, our state government system needs to be held accountable,” added Senator Koran. “Just as families approach their budgets, the legislature needs to treat every taxpayer dollar as a precious resource. Often, the system has failed to do that. The time is now to radically reform how government conducts its business and root out waste and fraud.”
Further, Senator Koran will author legislation to expand broadband internet coverage in Greater Minnesota.
“From telemedicine to students doing homework, broadband access is essential to our everyday life,” concluded Koran. “I will champion expanding broadband in our area and across Greater Minnesota so that businesses and households have 21st century access.”