Joe Schomacker understands we compete for jobs with South Dakota and Iowa everyday.  During Representative Schomacker’s first term, over half of the jobs lost during the great recession have come back, and we saw a drop in unemployment from 7.5% to 5.7% while the national average is still above 8%.

Job Creation Policies Rep. Schomacker supports:

1. •Phasing out the statewide business property tax
   

2. •Tort Reform
   

3. •Permitting Reform
   

4. •Accountability in Rulemaking
   

5. •Internship Investments
   

6. •Angel Investment Tax Credit (Co-Sponsored)
   

JOBS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

In addition to tax reform -

1. •Continue the discussion between business and educators about the mismatch between skilled workers and the jobs available.
   

2. •Encourage state agencies to work more aggressively to balance budget needs with the opportunity to buy local products and services
   

3. •Continue reforming, deregulating, and create certainty for business in governing
   

4. •Modify job enterprise zones to focus on time benefits versus tax incentives
   

5. •Create more access to innovation collaboration in the state, like MREA
   

GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND REFORM

FY 2012-2013 Budget

Beginning of Session : $5.8 Billion Deficit                                                                                Today: $1.2 Billion Surplus

Minnesotans can’t afford state’s spending growth.  We need to reduce spending and cut back during lean times like this.  A slash and burn approach to reducing spending isn’t practical, either.  We need to have a thoughtful approach and honest debate about wants versus needs, and what taxpayers are willing to pay.

Rep. Schomacker started with himself, cutting his housing allowance by 25%, per diem by 15%, and the entire House of Representatives budget by 15%.

With jobs being created, we see fewer people on public assistance and more people paying taxes - saving the state money and generating more revenue.

Reforms

1. •Approaching the bonding bill with competitive grants versus pork for politicians.
   

2. •Privatizing of some publicly subsidized health insurance.
   

3. •Creating the Sunset Commission to review the purpose of groups within the state
   

4. •Consolidating IT functions
   

5. •Outlawing use of welfare money to buy cigarettes and alcohol, EBT cards can only be used in Minnesota and bordering states
   

6. •Offering cash incentives to state employees who find ways to save their department money
   

7. •Closing the funding gap between rural and metro schools with the small school addition in the funding formula
   

Further Reforms: Greater collaboration between departments to allow systems to run more smoothly; combine health and human services

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare is 40% of the entire state budget, and the costs are growing beyond the rate of inflation. A focus on reforming how healthcare is provided in this state will not only provide better access to affordable care, but also drive the cost to the state down.  This is why Rep. Schomacker co-authored bills like “The Healthy Minnesota Contribution Program” which offers MinnesotaCare enrollees a subsidy to purchase health insurance in the private market - saving hundreds of dollars a month for each of the tens of thousands of enrollees.

Rep. Schomacker prioritizes healthcare as a safety net for Minnesotans, and protector of our most vulnerable - those in nursing homes and group homes.  This is why Rep. Schomacker led the charge in the legislature to increase rates to the lowest receiving nursing homes in the state - many of which are in Southwest Minnesota.  Schomacker’s first bill signed into law provided for reforms in nursing homes to allow them to receive more accurate reimbursements from Medicare.

In his first term, Rep. Schomacker also tackled the issue of adult foster care regulations.  His legislation allows for group homes to have more flexibility in their operation to fit the needs of their consumers, and provides for consumers to have more options in the lives they live.  These reforms provide better quality of life for consumers, a better work environment for staff, and a savings to the state.

More needs to reform healthcare and prioritize our spending.  Schomacker is an advocate for increases to nursing home and group home employees wages.  In Southwest Minnesota, these facilities are the biggest employers, and are often paid more than 12% under their market.  We want the best care providers taking care of the greatest generation and those with special needs, and they should be compensated for quality work.

EDUCATION

In 2011, the legislature approved a new line of small school funding that helps schools in Southwest Minnesota close the per pupil funding gap between rural schools and schools in the cities.

A student is a student regardless of where they live or the size of their school.  The cost to educate students in small rural schools is similar to the Twin Cities, but these schools often lack the money to cover basic funding issues due to their small student population.  The Minnesota Legislature approved a fair, equitable new funding stream for schools under 1,000 students to help cover these basic costs.

Rep. Schomacker believes in more local control for schools, which is why he supported legislation that repealed maintenance of effort requirements and funding mandates for staff development.  Schools know how to best utilize funding to benefit their students.  And when it comes to consolidating school districts, a risk we sometimes face in Southwest Minnesota, Rep. Schomacker believes those decisions should only be made by the people in those districts.

Prepared and Paid for by the Schomacker Volunteer Committee | Luverne, MN