Dear Neighbor,

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare

President Obama and Democrats in Congress have unleashed a massive expansion of government that will harm our economy every day until it is repealed. Obamacare contains at least 20 taxes totaling hundreds of billions of dollars that will smother the economy. Add to that the mandates, regulations, bureaucracy and massive costs and this bill will prove itself to be an unworkable disaster of proportions only government can create.

Look no further than Minnesota’s medical device industry for how Obamacare will slam our economy and kill jobs. Innovative companies that employ highly-skilled workers in well-paying jobs will now be socked with a tax increase for their efforts. We are never going to reach our full economic potential when Democrats punish success in order to expand government.

New Laws

Many new laws passed during the 2012 legislative session will go into effect on July 1, 2012. A few highlights include:

• An omnibus health and human services law that lays out reforms in several health care sectors including enhanced welfare restrictions and penalties for misuse.

•  A more serious criminal charge for those who intentionally neglect a vulnerable adult over an extended period of time.

• Enhanced streamlining of the state’s permit and environmental review process so permits move at the speed of commerce.

• Increased gainsharing for state employees who find ways to save taxpayers’ money.

• Assumed lower rate of return on investments for the state’s pension fund, which should strengthen the long-term financial outlook.

• Requiring teachers to pass the basic skills test before they can teach in a classroom.

• Creating a pilot program to allow school districts to pool resources to provide more innovative delivery of programs and activities designed to increase student achievement.

• Funding for fighting aquatic invasive species, including Asian Carp.

• Permitting alcohol sales at TCF Bank Stadium.

• Expanding a transportation construction bid program that will allow up to 6 percent preference for bids by small businesses.

The House Information Office has compiled a complete list of the news laws into a searchable database that can be found here. You can also access stories about the laws enacted in 2012, bills that were vetoed and updates on bills that did not make it into law.

Happy Fourth of July!

With the Fourth of July fast approaching, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.   

Kurt