Congressman Tom Emmer from the Sixth  District visited Big Lake and was welcomed to a peaceful town hall style meeting. Unlike many other venues that Emmer has spoken at, the Friendly Buffalo provided the Congressman with a friendly place to meet elected officials and get the  information out to them. Although there were a few protesters outside on the sidewalk, it was uneventful.

 

Emmer stated right away that he supports the new President Donald Trump and his policies. There were no boos or bantering, just Emmer giving his beliefs in politics.

 

He went on to say that “this country has become a regulation nation, and we need to get the government off the backs of people and  let them evaluate risks taken with their own dollar.” There is an all-out war going on between the new administration and the nation’s news media. The nation news media is the least trusted source of information that anyone is receives,” says Emmer.

Emmer is not a big fan of the twitter presidency, but is a fan of going around the news media to get the information directly to the people. Despite what people are hearing, things are right on track,  where the new President wants them to be in his short time in office.

 

The one mistake he feels the new President and administration have made, is how the immigration order was rolled out. He said, “it’s not about a ban on religion, it is about keeping Americans safe.”

Emmer then spoke about the Congressional review act. Stating that the President has already signed two legislative congressional reviews to wipe the slate clean of what the former administration has done and that they are working hard to keeping that going. Next on this list of topics  was, the Affordable Care Act. Emmer said “the Affordable Care Act does not work!” The President and United States Secretary of Health and Human Service Tim Price have a plan in place and over the next couple weeks, the ACA will be repealed and replaced.

 

Tom Price will be granting states a waiver to back individual authority to  help drop the price of insurance and provide people with real choices.

 

Emmer was very stern when he talked about the healthcare system swinging one way for eight years then swinging the complete opposite for the next term. Hospitals and clinics have to build their healthcare system around that policy. Congressman Emmer thanked everyone for coming and opened it up for questions. 

 

The first question came from a gentleman who was concerned about Medicare and asked why Medicare Part C cost 15% more than the Medicare Part A and B.            

 

Emmer replied, “I can’t get into detail but when it comes to the ACA, at the end of the day the final plan is going to be key.” He said, we will see it right away, when Tim Price comes up with waivers for each state to see what it will be.  Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer brought up the fact that she sent a letter to Congress and to the United States Health and Human Services about Medicare not letting people start or continue a health savings account. She hopes that will change when the new plan comes out. Emmer said, “to look for good things to come with the health savings account.”            

 

The next question was, what does the tax reform look like? To which Emmer replied, “we will see it before the August recess and there will be major corporate tax reform.” Emmer stated that the US  would be .5% below average and would create over 600,000 jobs over the next 10 years and eliminate the estate tax.

 

 “The capital gains are not bad; it’s incentive for entrepreneurs and risk takers to pull the money out and invest in the next great opportunity. Incentive drives human behavior, tax reform is incredibly important and we can do better,” expressed Emmer.

 

A question regarding the CFPB was asked in which Emmer replied ,“the CFPB is a Soviet style command control that no one has control over.”  He believes the biggest mistake they have made is constantly trying to expand the organization. There will be a Choice Act coming in March with reforms made to the CFPB.     The last question of concern was the broadband services.  A gentleman wanted to know where it is headed? Emmer said, “ Forty-three million dollars in grants have been given to the State of MN and that the internet highway is a lot like roads and bridges. Building new internet highways will impact over 2000 businesses. “    

 

Before he left, Emmer briefly stated that President Trump intends to keep his campaign promise regarding the infrastructure in the US. Not just roads and bridges but fixing ports, air travel and the rail system, as the President is committed to making it happen. Pancakes and Politics was sponsored by the five area Chambers of Commerce including Becker, Big Lake, Elk River, Monticello and the I94.      

             

Many elected officials were in attendance, such as Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, Chair of the Sherburne County Commission Barbra Burandt, Becker City Council member Rick Hendrickson, Big Lake City Council Member Mike Wallen, Monticello Mayor Brian Stumpf, as well as many more. It was a buffet style breakfast and included pancakes, hash browns, sausages and eggs. Unfortunately for Emmer, by the time he got into the line all the food was gone except for the eggs, even the coffee ran out.