BLOG: Atkins: Cool Temps, Warm Reception, & Hot Issues on the Campaign Trail (Part 1 of 2)

Thank you to everyone in IGH for the warm reception I have received as I have gone door-to-door the past several months. As the days get cooler, that warm reception makes it a lot easier to keep going. The new pair of shoes my wife bought me recently are also helping a lot, since the 267 miles of walking door-to-door (yep, I kept track) has taken a toll on the pair I have been wearing since May.

So, what are the hottest issues I have been hearing about?  Here are the top seven topics.

Minnesota’s Economy and Job Creation. While Minnesota and the Midwest lead the nation in job growth, far outpacing the national economy, there remains more we can do. As a small business owner myself for the past 20 years, I know firsthand there are several steps state government can take to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in their efforts to create jobs: 1) continue to streamline the regulatory process, 2) reduce or at least hold the line on small business taxes, 3) maintain a high quality E-12 system to provide a top-notch workforce, 4) offer effective retraining and affordable higher education, and 5) help contain health insurance costs. 

On each of these I will offer additional details, both in terms of steps we have already taken and others that I believe we still ought to take, in another column later this week.

Health Care. While the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare” as some call it, is a federal law, not a state law, a lot of folks are concerned about it as I go door-to-door, and so am I. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not bashing everything in the Affordable Care Act. For example, I absolutely support having insurance companies provide coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and allowing children up to age 26 to remain covered on their parent's health plan. In fact, those portions have been welcomed by consumers, providers, and insurers alike. 

But, like many Minnesotans, I definitely do NOT support using a medical device tax to pay for it. Particularly in Minnesota, that tax could have a devastating impact on jobs and our economy, and I am part of the bipartisan opposition to that tax by Minnesota elected officials.

The State Budget. While the next formal revenue and expense forecast from the state economist won’t be out until mid-November, all indications are that things are definitely moving in the right direction with respect to the state budget.  Expenses continue to come in lower than expected, while revenues are up.  This is no accident. 

As noted earlier, the economy here in Minnesota and the Midwest is rebounding quicker than the rest of the nation. That said, even if our next state budget forecast shows the start of a surplus, we ought to continue efforts to make government more efficient. 

For example, controlling spiraling health care costs through effective negotiation with providers and insurers is critical, and has already saved Minnesota an estimated $250 million, as is continuing to cut top-heavy administration.  

In addition, we can save money by working cooperatively with neighboring states and local governments to provide services together.  That effort, which was originally spearheaded by Gov. Pawlenty, is one that has worked well for local governments for decades, and ought to work at the state level as well.

These are some of the issues I have been hearing about a lot, with more to come tomorrow, as well as some of my thoughts on what we ought to do in each area. If you have additional comments, ideas or suggestions to share with me, please contact me at Rep.Joe.Atkins@house.mn, call me at 651-296-4192 (Capitol), or take my surveys at www.JoeAtkins.com.  You can also post comments below.  Thank you.

TOMORROW (in Part 2): Education, Transportation, Property Taxes and Solutions for Capitol Gridlock