KEYC, October 23, 2007
Mankato is the latest community along highway 14 to pass a resolution urging completion of the expansion project. This after funding worries in the wake of the I-35 Bridge collapse. The expansion on highway 14 is between Waseca and Owatonna. Community leaders have been passing resolutions to make sure that expansion finishes as planned. State Representative Terry Morrow says these resolutions help get lawmakers’ attention. “I encourage people to pass a resolution, make phone calls, email. These are all very important factors that have a great amount of influence. The system really does work—resolutions are just a part of it.” State Representative Terry Morrow says he believes the project will go on as expected. The project is expected to be complete by 2011.
St. Peter, Herald, October 11, 2007
The growing numbers of uninsured children in Minnesota and throughout the nation raise a moral as well as an economic concern. My ‘Cover All Kids’ proposal sought to keep access to affordable health insurance for every Minnesotan child. Last session, I was pleased when the House passed a comprehensive children’s health bill. The bill would have moved Minnesota closer to the goal of quality health care for all children than any other state in the union. It did so in a way that made our health care system more efficient and less costly overall.
“Would have,” unfortunately, may not become reality. Last week, President Bush vetoed reauthorization of the federal children’s health insurance program (S-CHIP) that helped support our state’s efforts. Before the President’s veto, federal money from the new S-CHIP bill would have secured our vision of Minnesota as a place where all kids can see a doctor when needed. Since its beginning in 1997, S-CHIP has provided health care coverage for close to 7 million children nationwide, including 36 thousand in Minnesota. If this veto stands, our state is predicted to lose $88 million next year, causing the number to swell beyond the 70,000 Minnesota children who are currently uninsured.
Affordable health care is not only an issue for poor families. We all know that middle class families and small business owners are being squeezed by increasing health care costs. Middle class families are paying 75 percent more for their share of insurance premiums and their share of other out-of-pocket costs has increased over 50%. The most recent report showed that premiums in Minnesota again went up at nearly triple the level of inflation.
Minnesotans understand that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in life. Only a healthy child who has appropriate access to preventative and wellness care can succeed in school. Healthy, cared-for children are essential to our communities. Morally, economically, educationally: covering all kids is the right thing to do.
State Representative Terry Morrow, St. Peter
Star-Tribune, October 2, 2007
This week, my mother called to tell me that her friend’s husband, Skip, had died after a long and courageous battle against illness. I heard last night that a good friend of mine, David (not his real name), has been diagnosed with cancer. Their stories starkly remind us that life is precious.
Skip and David share another similarity: both men had doctors who examined them, diagnosed their condition, and prescribed treatment. For Skip, the doctor’s honest advice prolonged his life; for David, I pray that the treatment plan will save his.
I am thankful that both Skip and David had honest, professional doctors who told them the straight truth. A doctor’s responsibility and his oath require nothing less.
Representatives must follow a similar moral and legal responsibility. The public deserves-and should demand-an honest appraisal of public conditions.
Neither physicians nor politicians fulfill their obligation by putting popularity above responsibility. Yes, it would be easier to always report that “all is fine.” But, sometimes, all is not fine. With a proper diagnosis and treatment, though, many times all can be fine again.
Minnesota’s roads and bridges must be treated. We know from the diagnosis of many, many professionals-MnDOT engineers, county commissioners, city officials, local highway engineers, and others-that our roads and bridges are increasingly weak, that the demands put on them are reaching a crisis. We know that MnDOT tells us we need an infusion of $2.4 billion more dollars a year for the next decade just to return our transportation system to health.
Minnesotans understand the problem and we accept the reality that 20 years of backlogged road and bridge repair won’t be easily solved. We know that no quick fix-no infomercial medical device-is going to fix the problem. We need a comprehensive, responsible treatment plan.
Most state fair attendees this year agreed with a gas tax increase provided that all of the money goes to roads and bridges. It does. The Minnesota Constitution requires it. Many people say that they don’t want gas tax money going to light rail or bike trails. It doesn’t.
It’s not popular to talk about taxes. But sometimes it’s the honest, responsible treatment for a serious public problem like the transportation crisis. Just like a patient visiting a doctor, Minnesota deserves-and can handle-the straight truth. It’s the only way we can ever meet our challenges and move safely into the future.
