Today, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced that he has raised $323,526 for the first quarter of 2010. The numbers reveal yet another strong quarter for Paulsen, who is a freshman member of Congress representing the Western Suburbs of the Twin Cities Metro Area.
"I am proud to have the support of so many Minnesotans for my reelection campaign," said Paulsen. "With another strong quarter, these numbers show I am fulfilling my promises to the people of the Third District and will have the resources to enter into the 2010 election in a strong position."
Since beginning his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Paulsen has been noted for his work on fiscal responsibility, government transparency, job creation, and pursuing bipartisan solutions to solve our nation's largest problems.
To date in this election cycle, Paulsen has raised $1,523,205 and has $1,145,291 cash on hand.
A.G. Swanson should have sued over health care
Written by Jeff Johnson
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 00:00
The Star Tribune printed an opinion piece I wrote today regarding Attorney General Lori Swanson’s decision not to file suit challenging the constitutionality of the new health care law.
I should add a disclaimer: I lost the 2006 A.G. election to Swanson (and I can’t even argue voter fraud, as there were far too many votes separating us to blame on any ACORN conspiracy or a lost ballot box on the Iron Range). So, for me, this is a little like fantasy football: I get to pretend I’m in charge of something even though I’m really just watching from the stands.
Jeff Johnson: Swanson Should Have Backed Suit
Fourteen states’ attorneys general have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the new national health care law. Recently, Gov. Tim Pawlenty asked Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson to join those suits on behalf of the people of Minnesota. Not surprisingly, Swanson has informed the governor that she will not challenge the new law and, in fact, will file a brief arguing in its favor.
Minnesota is one of the largest medical device alleys in the country, with tens of thousands of jobs in the sector. We can’t afford lost jobs or stifled innovation, which is why I tried to remove this tax before the health care bill was voted on last weekend. (Watch my testimony before Rules Committee HERE).
Jobs should be priority number one in Congress. Despite multiple warnings about the negative impact of a tax on the tools of modern technology, the tax was passed anyway – and the results are already looking quite troublesome.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 April 2010 20:20
Congressman Erik Paulsen Statement on Health Care Vote
Written by Erik Paulsen
Sunday, 21 March 2010 00:00
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Erik Paulsen issued the following statement after tonight’s health care vote in the House of Representatives:
“Today, the House of Representatives narrowly approved a costly, partisan bill the American people have said loud and clear they do not want. My constituents, by a margin of over three-to-one, have said they do not like this plan -- and with good reason.
This bill represents a major expansion of the federal government’s role in health care. It creates new entitlement spending of nearly $1 trillion, slashes over $500 billion from Medicare in order to spend it elsewhere, allows the IRS to impose new fines on Americans who don’t purchase ‘acceptable’ coverage, fails to protect veterans’ care and imposes a new $20 billion tax on life-saving medical technology innovations.
Amazingly, this bill also does not adequately address the fundamental problem of rising health care costs for individuals, families and small businesses. Instead, premiums are likely to continue rising under this plan, while new taxes and penalties will make it even harder for small businesses to create jobs. This is the exact wrong approach.
There is no question we can and should reform health care. But doing so with a massive government expansion that will burden future generations – all without fundamentally addressing the number one problem of rising costs – is both reckless and wrong. The American people need and deserve better.”
