Senator Howe outlines early priorities for 2019 legislative session

On Tuesday, Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) joined the Senate Republican majority in outlining top priorities for the 2019 legislative session, which is now underway. The priorities include childcare, health care, mental health, government accountability, and taxes – areas of bipartisan agreement that will be considered early in the session.

“As the state senator for District 13, I’m looking forward to being a voice for the people of Benton and Stearns counties,” said Senator Howe. “I’m hitting the ground running, getting to work right away on bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing Minnesota families, including health care, childcare, mental health, tax conformity, and much more. It will be a great session.”

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 Howe will serve on the Environment and Natural Resources, State Government, Taxes, and Transportation committees.

“My commitment is to continue working for my constituents and for a better Minnesota. We have a new landscape at the Capitol, and I’m confident we can work together and get things done.” Senator Howe continued.

Senator Jeff Howe, of Rockville, is in his first term representing District 13, which includes communities in Benton and Stearns counties.