David on the Issues

I’ve been visiting with voters and I’ve heard about issues like gas prices, educational funding, the rising cost of health care, and concerns about our environment. I welcome your e-mails and
calls if you have an issue you would like to discuss. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts and concerns, so please e-mail me at david@davidbly.com or call 507-645-8328.

High fuel prices:
In Minnesota we’ve got to be able to heat our homes and drive to work. The cost of fuel drives up the cost of everything else. I am interested in hearing ideas you have about how to improve the situation.  Please e-mail me your thoughts and ideas about how we might work together to make things  better.

Experts tell us increasing our off-shore drilling for oil won’t have an effect on our gas prices today, tomorrow, or in the near future; and has the potential of doing great ecological damage.  We have about 3% of the world’s oil deposits and consume about 1/4 of the world’s oil.  We can have perhaps the greatest effect on prices by conserving energy, creating more fuel efficient vehicles and moving to renewable and alternative fuels.

Education:
From crowded classrooms to having to make tough choices about what programs they can afford to offer, our school districts are really struggling.  Study after study shows the importance of education to our future as an economic power in the world and yet we can’t seem to agree on how much to spend or even what is important to teach. 

Some politicians tell us that spending more money on testing and accountability will improve our system without having to increase funding, but it just doesn’t seem to be working that way.  At the same time schools are dealing with the same inflationary cost of living increases the rest of us are. Double digit insurance increases, rising fuel prices, and the rising cost of materials.  Demands and expectations are high and yet still there are complaints about spending too much on our children.

Health care:
I hear more and more stories from constituents who tell me that they can’t afford or can’t get access to health care insurance and therefore have limited access to health care.  Even those who have insurance find that they pay more and more out of pocket costs for their care. 

I, along with several other legislators, co-authored the Minnesota Health Plan which I believe offers the best chance of meeting the health needs of Minnesota citizens. It provides comprehensive care to all Minnesotans by preserving choice of health providers and saving money in our system. 

We have one of the most expensive health care systems in the world and yet many people are just not able to receive the benefit of it.  Even doctors are suggesting we need to move to this kind of system.  We need affordable, efficient, and effective health care in order to be productive.  Too many families are finding themselves trapped in health care nightmares.

Environment:
Let’s continue our work towards higher standards and a cleaner quality of life.  We need to work together with farmers and business owners while we maintain our beautiful Minnesota lakes and streams.

Economy:
I’d like to see Minnesota support new, green energy jobs.  Minnesotans are hard working, and we need good paying jobs in order to take care of our families. I also support programs which help people get back on their feet so they can better take care of themselves.

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