Letter to the Editor: Criticism is Partisan, Misleading, Halverson Says

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Last week, Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and Rep. Joe Hoppe wrote a letter to the editor attacking Rep. Masin and myself for voting to move the health insurance exchange bill to its next committee stop. Partisan, misleading attacks like these are exactly what people despise about politics and were a common complaint I heard from Eagan voters. 

The campaign is over, and it’s time for the legislature to do the work of the people. Part of that work is for legislators to have thoughtful and thorough debate on each bill in committee.

For those who may not know, a health insurance exchange is an online marketplace where individuals, families, and small businesses can purchase insurance. If we don’t get this done by the end of March, the federal government will step in and do it for us. I think most of us would agree that a Minnesota-made solution is preferable.

Because of the significance of the insurance exchange legislation, the bill is moving through a near-record 7 committees. The vote referenced in the letter was simply to move the debate on from the first committee to the second. We’ve already seen major changes in the exchange bill as it has moved through each committee of jurisdiction, and we will certainly see more changes before we have the opportunity to take a vote of the final bill.

Instead of partisan attacks, let’s work for honest debate. It’s time to get to work and move Minnesota forward. We owe that to our constituents; after all, it’s what we were elected to do.

Want to submit a letter to the editor for publication on Eagan Patch? Email your submission and contact information to Editor David Henke at david.henke@patch.com.