Incoming MN Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa)
The incoming Republican majority leader of the Minnesota Senate still has high hopes for a special session before Christmas to provide short-term relief for those hit with big health insurance premium increases through MNsure. Nisswa Senator Paul Gazelka says, “I’m still at 80-percent chance. I mean, the fact that the governor said the deadline’s realistically next week, says that he is open and wanting to try to finish this off.” Republicans also want long-term reform, but Gazelka says he’s willing to wait until the regular session for that because people need help now. He says, “Because their rates are going up as much as 67 percent, paying premiums as much as 30 thousand dollars a year with high deductibles, we have to give them some relief.”
Top leaders also want to pass a tax-relief bill and a bonding package for state construction projects during a proposed special session. December 20th is the target date.
Listen to Bill Werner’s interview of Gazelka: