For Immediate Release – January 22, 2013
Minnesota Nurses say Move Minnesota Forward
MNA Supports Governor’s Budget Proposal that Puts Middle Class Families First
For information: Rick Fuentes 651.414.2863
612.741.0662
Jan Rabbers 651-414-2861
612.860.6658
St. Paul – The Minnesota Nurses Association supports Governor Dayton’s budget plan to invest in the state by fixing the broken system of raising revenue and tip the scales back in favor of the middle class.
“This plan is the safe, responsible and right thing to do,” said MNA President Linda Hamilton, RN, BSN, “and it will help to get our economy back on track.”
The Governor’s plan invests in the middle class by providing care to those who need it most while investing in middle class priorities, such as education and job creation.
The plan provides for 145,000 newly insured Minnesotans by expanding Medical Assistance eligibility for children 2-18 and pregnant women from 150% to 275% FPG. MNA also supports funding of the 2012 Vulnerable Adult Felony Neglect bill to create a statewide common entry point for reporting abuse, raising awareness through public outreach and increases support to county adult protection units.
Increasing the cigarette tax by 94 cents per pack not only creates new revenue for the state, but also reduces smoking, especially among younger generations. MNA also supports measures to increase the income tax rate on the top 2 percent of Minnesota earners, restoring fairness to the tax system.
“The Governor’s reform plan closes wasteful and expensive corporate loopholes and makes the richest pay at least the same tax rate as the middle class,” Hamilton said. “The Governor’s plan focuses on the right priorities for moving our economy forward, while making the system fairer.”
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