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Education, Healthcare, and Budget
Minority Leader Marty Seifert’s Republican View
Speaking at the September Full Committee Dinner Meeting, Rep. Marty Seifert, minority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, set Republican priorities and how Republicans would approach them. All Minnesotans are alike, whether Republican or Democrat, on concern for two issues facing us today, Education and Healthcare. Republic ans would add Budget to that list as well.
Rep. Seifert spelled out the issues, as a former teacher and now party leader, facing our education system in Minnesota. As the only state in the union that does not have an academic calendar minimum, Minnesota’s average number of school days has dropped from 177.3 in 1972 down to 171 today, during a period when the amount of material to be learned has increased significantly. He pointed out that taxpayers want our kids to learn and to have a quality education, neither of which is being served by today’s shorter schedule and shorter school days. His view? “Every kid should reach their God given potential.”
On healthcare, Marty admitted that Republicans are not very good at getting their message out on this important issue. “The real problem is cost,” he said. That cost can be addressed by five initiatives:
- Competition – Today, four healthcare insurers dominate the Minnesota marketplace. That needs to change. More competition will lower costs, both for insurance and healthcare procedures. He held up invoices for one procedure performed at a local hospital for $2600 and the same procedure performed at a private clinic for $946.
- Eliminate Taxes – the 2% healthcare tax needs to be eliminated.
- Reform Welfare – Today, 4000 to 6000 people per year move to Minnesota in order to apply for welfare benefits that are competitively out of sync with neighboring states. A waiting period and work requirements need to be instituted in Minnesota.
- Reform the Tort System – In his home district, Marty quotes an OB/GYN doctor as saying that $1200 of the cost of each baby he delivers is to cover malpractice insurance premiums.
- Remove Mandates – Currently, Minnesota has 65 mandates in place that restrict action on the part of healthcare providers and insurers.
Finally, the Minnesota State budget is a priority for Republicans. Rep. Seifert pointed out that in the 1970’s the largest employers in the State of Minnesota were companies like 3M, CDC, Dayton-Hudson, and Northwest Airlines. Today, the three largest employers in order of size are the State of Minnesota, the Federal Government, and the University system.
He wants everyone to know that Democrats want to tax those that create jobs and increase the welfare system. In doing so, they potentially increase their voter base as well.
He wrapped up the evening’s discussion with he own view of the Presidential election in 2008 and its importance to this country. Judges are the key. The difference between judges that will be appointed by Hillary Clinton versus those appointed by a Republican will be striking. The effects could be felt for generations. 
For additional information on these and other issues Marty invites everyone to visit the GOP House Caucus website at www.mnhousegop.com.
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Minnesota Senate District 41 Republicans
Edina Community Center, Suite 323, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina, Minnesota 55424
phone - (952) 848-4272 / fax - (952) 848-4271
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E-mail: sd41gop@hotmail.com
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