Dealing with federal tax changes–that’s the centerpiece this session of a GOP Senate agenda announced today. Senate Tax Committee Chair Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes says the goal is to “protect wages, simplify the code and grow the economy and stay competitive. It’s about empowering people, more jobs, more opportunity and shared prosperity, so it’s not just about numbers and dollars and cents.” Other GOP priorities include the so-called “Caring for People” Agenda. As part of that, Senator Carla Nelson of Rochester says “we need to start to figure out how we can keep our kiddos safe at our schools. We must have safe and secure schools.” Cutting down on cases of elder abuse at nursing homes, fixing the state’s driver’s license system and a “bricks and mortar” bonding bill to sustain building infrastructure throughout the state are also part of the GOP’s proposed goals this session. Other initiatives include easier access to childcare, mental health funding and combating the opioid epidemic.