Loon eager to improve Minnesota's business climate
By: Representative Jenifer Loon, 42B
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, October 14, 2010)

It has been an honor and a privilege representing the citizens of Eden Prairie at the State Capitol for the past two years.  I strive to be an attentive listener to constituents’ views, an effective voice for their concerns and a tireless worker seeking results that make a difference.   In asking for your vote on November 2nd, I pledge to continue the work I’ve begun in the legislature to make government more effective—not more expensive. My priorities have been, and will continue to be, enacting policies that will improve our short and long-term employment outlook and strengthen our economy.  This includes redesigning government to deliver high quality services in an affordable, sustainable manner, student-centered education reforms to ensure high achievement for all of Minnesota’s children, and improving our business climate to encourage job creation.  

I am very pleased to report success on some of the initiatives I championed during my first term which will make a difference in our community. On the property tax front, a redistribution program developed in 1972 which diverts millions of dollars in taxes from Eden Prairie to other metro-area cities will finally be given a critical review.  The bill I authored to study the fiscal disparities program was signed into law this year.  This antiquated program raises residential property taxes on Eden Prairie home owners (and those of other “donor” cities) and is long overdue for study and reform.  I was honored to be named “Legislator of the Year” by the Municipal Legislative Commission for my work on this important tax fairness issue.
  
A major traffic headache and safety concern for local drivers will soon be relieved as ground will be broken to rebuild the I-494/Hwy 169 Interchange next spring.  I was proud to help gain approval for a money-saving MnDOT design for the rebuild and move this important project up the list of transportation priorities to address the needs and concerns of Eden Prairie residents.

In the health care arena, I have authored several bills to help individuals and small businesses obtain access to more affordable health insurance options in the Minnesota marketplace.  An amendment I offered received strong bipartisan support and was signed into law to expand eligibility for flexible benefit plans to small businesses with up to 100 employees.

Despite these steps forward, there is much work to be done.  While we have seen some improvement in our economy, many families and small businesses are continuing to struggle with lost wages and reduced earnings.  Government must recognize and reflect the practical choices taxpayers are making with their own budgets.  Priority programs need creative reforms that stretch taxpayer dollars, maximizing value and results. 

The biggest task of the new legislature will be creating a budget.  I believe a fiscally responsible approach to this work is aligning spending to anticipated revenues—not raising taxes. Current projections indicate State revenues will increase from the previous budget by 7 to 8 percent.  A deficit occurs only if spending exceeds these receipts.  Government spending supports many important things—the education of our children, transportation and infrastructure, investment in research, health care and services for the poor, elderly and disabled.  However, raising taxes and taking more money from the private sector will squelch job creation—the key to our long-term economic recovery.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. By listening to you and working in a principled, effective and bipartisan fashion, I’ve sought to create real solutions to move our State forward.   I humbly ask for your support and vote on November 2, 2010 to continue working on your behalf in the Minnesota House. 

Shari Grinnell, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, October 07, 2010)

I am writing to support the re-election of State Rep. Jenifer Loon (42B) to the Minnesota Legislature. I have known Jenifer for over 10 years. We met as members of the same church and have served on volunteer committees together. In my experience with Jenifer, I know her to be hard working, highly capable, and very effective in whatever she sets out to accomplish. She is also down-to-earth and very friendly -- a real "people person" who genuinely cares about others.

When Jenifer first ran to be our state representative two years ago, I knew she would be the kind of person who would really take the time to listen to her constituents, understand their opinions and concerns, and act accordingly. Since she began serving her first term in 2009, she has conducted two constituent surveys, held four town hall meetings and sends out excellent e-mail updates during the session to keep citizens informed of the Legislature's work. In July, a very detailed Legislative Report from Jenifer arrived in our mailboxes, outlining her work and key votes. She goes out of her way to make sure voters have every opportunity to communicate with her. Then she gets right to work on those matters most important to Eden Prairie and keeps working toward solutions until she gets results.

For example, in her first two years of service at the State Legislature, she has already authored a successful bill which will initiate a study and reform of an antiquated tax program that diverts property taxes from Eden Prairie businesses to other metro area communities. This practice results in Eden Prairie homeowners paying more for their residential property taxes. I feel fortunate that we have someone like Jenifer watching out for our interests and she needs to continue this important work. Please join me in returning Jenifer Loon to the House of Representatives when you vote on November 2.

• Senate District 42 Republican Party

• MN Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund

• NFIB "Guardian of Small Business" Award Winner

• Municipal Legislative Commission "Legislator of the Year" Award Winner

• Care Providers of Minnesota (CARE-PAC)

• Conservation Minnesota

• Voices of Conservative Women

• Minnesotans for Personal Choice and Competition in Healthcare

• Rich Stanek

News Links

• 10/15/2010: Jenifer Loon candidate profile

• 9/25/2008: In Their Own Words: Jenifer Loon

• 5/4/2008: Jenifer Loon endorsed by the SD42 Republican Party

• 3/22/2008: Jenifer Loon announces her run for the legislature

On October 7 2010, the Municipal Legislative Commission gave Jenifer their Legislator of the Year Award:

Jenifer was the House author of the bill which became law requiring a study of the fiscal disparities program.

On September 23 2010, the National Federation of Independent Business gave Jenifer their “Guardian of Small Business” Award:

Representative Jenifer Loon (R-42B) was presented an award this week by the National Federation of Independent Business recognizing her as a champion for small business in Minnesota.

At a St. Paul ceremony, Mike Hickey, State Director of NFIB/MN stated, “Representative Loon is a strong supporter of small business at the Capitol and we really appreciate that.  She made many votes in support of small business including votes against large tax increases in our already highly taxed state, and she authored the amendment to expand the Small Employer Flexible Benefit Plan law,” he continued.  “Rep. Loon is a real friend and we are happy to announce that she has earned the Guardian of Small Business Award.” 

On October 23 2008, Jenifer received the endorsement of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: “Two admirable candidates have emerged in Eden Prairie to succeed former House GOP majority leader Rep. Erik Paulsen, who is running for the U.S. House. Both would bring strengths to the Legislature. But at a time when the state's economy needs a boost, our nod goes to the small-business policy expertise of Republican Jenifer Loon.

Loon, 45, most recently a stay-at-home mom, grew up on a South Dakota dairy farm. After college, she spent more than a decade in Washington in a variety of roles, including a stint as chief of staff for the U.S. House Small Business Committee and a lobbyist for a builders' association. Her husband is a regional official with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

She draws on that background to advocate for tax and regulatory policy changes that would benefit small and start-up businesses. We're troubled by her opposition to the 2008 transportation bill. But it was heartening to note that she was one of only four Republican legislative candidates endorsed this year by the Conservation Minnesota Voter Fund.”

Loon eager to improve Minnesota's business climate
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, October 07, 2010)

After being elected to represent District 42B for the first time two years ago, Jenifer Loon feels like she's just warmed up. As freshmen legislators go, she's had a productive two years - passing legislation that allows flexibility in how small businesses and individuals buy healthcare and successfully passing a bill that calls for a study of the fiscal disparities program that impacts Eden Prairie. She was recently named one of the Municipal Legislative Commission's Legislators of the Year:

"I'm ready to go back and be even more effective the second time around," said Loon, a Republican who is facing off against DFL candidate Ray Daniels. She and other legislators have their hands full with a dismal economy and looming budget deficit.

If re-elected, Loon 47, wants to continue to work on looking at the business climate in Minnesota and what policies we could enact to encourage more businesses to relocate to the state.

Taxes

When it comes to an economic recovery there may be shoots of growth, said Loon. "I would still say that our economy is quite fragile," she added. "Raising taxes in a somewhat fragile economy, in my opinion, is not necessarily the best thing we could do."

There's a lot of uncertainty about federal tax rates and health-care reform effects, she said. Businesses are starting to assess how they may be affected by all those changes. With all of that uncertainty, businesses are reticent to take the next step, she said. Keeping that in mind, whatever the state can do to try to keep a stable tax and regulatory environment is pretty important, she added.

Health care

Loon is proud of the work she did this session involving health care, specifically legislation that will expand the number of small businesses that have more flexibility in the health-insurance packages they purchase. This legislation will increase the pool of those who have that as an option to them, she said. It passes with "bipartisan support."

What she is not as satisfied with is the progress made to address the General Assistance Medical Care program. The amended program that emerged from the Legislature is still a work in progress, she said. "If it works as we intended it to work, we will try to encourage people to get into health care earlier," said Loon. The goal behind the changes to GAMC (which typically serves the poorest of the uninsured in the state) was that hospitals would not be managing these individuals' health care from crisis to crisis. Loon said they may still have to tweak the GAMC program as it goes along, "It has not been awful," she said about the results. "we may have to make some adjustments."

Education

Loon has heard good things about the use of merit pay programs in teaching, specifically the Q Comp program that Eden Prairie uses. "I think it is good to recognize your exemplary teachers, " said Loon. Loon would like to see more control at the local level in general when it come s to school policy.

There are a lot of frustrations out there when it comes to the funding formula for students, she noted. Some districts get much more per pupil, compared to Eden Prairie. She concedes the funding formula "doesn't make a log of sense."

She would like the local school board to have more control on how they spend the budget; things like mandates on staff development funding should be left up to the board to make decisions on.

In general, Loon seems eager to get back to work. Her top issues are jobs and the economy. "It's what's No. 1 on people's minds," she said.

Jill Scholtz, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, September 30, 2010)

Jenifer Loon is the representative we need in the house to determine the future of our state and citizenry. She exhibits the qualities of a strong leader and she deserves your vote on November 2.

Jenifer is a good friend of mine and I have watched her work at the State Capitol during her first two years at the Minnesota Legislature. She is a solid supporter of our democratic system of accountability for decision-making and the efficient use of tax dollars. Jenifer has shown a consistent and courageous level of insistence on proper research, transparent discourse and meticulous planning for all government decision-making. Her leadership is a collaborative effort with the citizens of this community. She is approachable and compassionate, but also maintains great strength and focus as a servant leader.

Whatever changes need to be made to support the economy and create jobs, Jenifer knows how to move progress along by reaching across the aisle. This is by no means an easy task, but Jenifer manages to connect and gain respect in all of her collaborations. She is a true leader with an inclusive approach to problem solving. This is how we need to work to get things done. Would you please join me in voting for Jenifer Loon for the Minnesota House of Representatives!

Representative Loon Thanks Her Constituents
By: Representative Jenifer Loon, 42B
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, September 16, 2010)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Eden Prairie for their support during my first term in the Minnesota House.

It has been an honor and a privilege representing you for the past two years. We have faced difficult challenges, largely brought on by the recession, and I have deeply appreciated your guidance, questions, and comments. Throughout our legislative deliberations, I have strived to be a voice for fiscal responsibility. I worked hard to implement thoughtful government reforms and set priorities for our state rather than tap strained family budgets and small business for more tax dollars to increase government spending.

I am very pleased to report success on some of the initiatives I championed this session which will make a difference. On the property tax front, a redistribution program developed in 1972 which diverts millions of dollars in property taxes from Eden Prairie's business community to other metro-area cities will finally be given a critical review. The bill I authored to study the fiscal disparities program was signed into law this year. This antiquated program raises residential property taxes on local home owners in "donor" cities like Eden Prairie, and is long overdue for study and reform. I am pleased to have gotten the ball rolling on this important fairness initiative.

Next spring, ground will be broken to rebuild the I-494/Hwy 169 Interchange. I am pleased to have helped move this important project up the list of priorities to address traffic congestion and safety concerns for Eden Prairie residents.

In health care, individuals and small business with up to 100 employees buying insurance in the Minnesota marketplace will soon have more options as they will be allowed to purchase flexible benefit plans. The amendment I offered to the commerce bill to achieve this change received strong bipartisan support and was signed into law.

My priorities have been and will continue to be: To enact policies that improve our short and long-term employment outlook and strengthen our economy. This includes redesigning government to deliver high quality services in an affordable, sustainable manner, and student-centered education reforms to ensure high achievement for Minnesota's children. By listening to you and working in a principled, effective, bipartisan fashion, I've sought to create real solutions to problems facing Minnesota.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. I humbly ask for your vote on November 2 to continue working on your behalf in the Minnesota House.

-------------
Jenifer Loon represents Eden Prairie in the Minnesota House of Representatives

John Tyler, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, September 16, 2010)

In reply to Ellen Hoerle's commentary, “Healthcare reform a complex issue” from the Eden Prairie News, I agree, our current healthcare system is unnecessarily complex and expensive. The solutions to cost and coverage issues can be achieved without compromising the care quality of our healthcare delivery system to any of us.

There are two crises in healthcare. The growth in the cost of state government plans is the first. It is unsustainable. The second crisis is the scandalously low level of payment healthcare providers receive for treating the government-insured population. They need to receive the same commercial carrier rate of pay for their services as they receive for all privately insured individuals. As federal, state, and county budgets become tighter, healthcare provider reimbursements will continue to fall, making even worse the forced cost-shifting to private health plans. The DFL's solution to cover all of us in the category of Canadian-style government single-payer would under pay physicians and hospitals for everyone -- a disaster for our care quality and for the careers of our medical provider professionals and insurance professionals.

Market-based health insurance reforms are favored by Republicans including governor candidate Tom Emmer, Senator David Hann, Representative Jenifer Loon, and candidate for representative in district 42A, Kirk Stensrud. Representative Maria Ruud's voting record indicates she is not. A simple cost comparison between the government-insured plans with individual health plans show astounding savings. Even with pessimistic cost assumptions for the entire government-insured population, we find an estimated $1.2 billion dollars in total annual cost savings to help with a projected $6 billion to $7 billion budget shortage.

The means of saving the three major government insurance plans is an issue voters need to consider in elections. Examine the DFL's federal and state platforms on single payer, Canadian-style, government run health care for us all as "health care reform" and the Republicans' alternative with market-based health insurance alternatives and make your voting decision accordingly. Please join me in supporting Republicans to bring forward their common-sense, cost-saving and quality-enhancing healthcare reform proposals to Saint Paul -- Tom Emmer, Kirk Stensrud, Rep. Jenifer Loon, and Sen. David Hann.

David Johnson, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, July 29, 2010)

Senator Al Franken likely owes his Senate victory to felons. With a razor-thin victory over Sen. Norm Coleman in 2008 of just 312 votes, we have recently discovered that felons convicted of crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults may have given Democrats the filibuster-proof 60th vote that allowed Obamacare to pass.

Minnesota voters have good reason to be concerned. Without free and fair elections, we are no longer a democracy.

Vote fraud is bad for democracy. Democrats say they oppose it, yet they refuse to take action to stop it. The reason? By allowing people to vote multiple times or allowing felons and non-citizens to vote, the DFL increases their numbers and is able to steal elections.

Photo IDs are required for driving vehicles, buying alcohol or cigarettes, applying for Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, food stamps, applying for a library card, boarding airplanes, entering government buildings, registering at school, getting student loans, renting movies and cashing checks. But you don't have to show ID to exercise our most important right as American citizens -- the right to vote.

Is that fair? Democrat Maria Ruud seems to think so.

In May 2006, she voted against requiring ID to vote (HF 1443). In fact, of all the Democrats in the Minnesota House, only three supported requiring an ID to vote. As American Express said for decades: “membership has its priviledges”. And the greatest privileges of American citizenship is the right to vote. But Maria Ruud and Democrats across our state refuse to secure this foundational right against fraud.

Vote fraud is a problem. Without honest elections, our democracy will not work.

The recent Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform (headed by Republican James Baker and Democrat Jimmy Carter) made 87 recommendations to make our elections more fair and honest. One of their main recommendations: require people to show ID before voting.

According to Rasmussen, an overwhelming majority of Americans favor requiring an ID to vote. Opposition to voter fraud cuts across age, gender, race and party affiliation. Yes, even rank-and-file Democrats support voter ID.

Every time a fraudulent vote is counted, your vote is diminished and your right is stolen. Stand up for your rights and your vote. Vote for Kirk Stensrud, David Hann, and Jenifer Loon in November.

Kevin R Schultz, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, July 15, 2010)

Senate District 42B elected Rep. Jenifer Loon to represent us as our state representative.  She has consistently made the tough vote to keep taxes and spending in line.

Last year she authored legislation to allow us to purchase our health insurance across state lines that would have given Minnesota voters more control over their health care and their pocket books.  This year she authored an amendment to the Commerce Department bill that passed.  This amendment gives larger group employers and individual policies the same cost-saving flexibility that is currently offered to the small employer market.  This is a real and tangible solution to help Minnesotans control their health care costs and provide them real choices. 

Thank you, Rep. Loon!  We need to send her back to St. Paul to continue her fine work there.

Gary Stevens, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, July 01, 2010)

It is clear from Ray Daniels' recent letter that the political attack season is off to an early start. By seeking to criticize Rep. Jenifer Loon's record, Mr. Daniels clearly places himself among those who hope for "business as usual" at the state Legislature.

Rather than lambasting Rep. Loon's record, we should be congratulating her for work to balance the state's budget, to redesign how government operates and to encourage private sector job growth.

Mr. Daniels takes aim at the GAMC program and Rep. Loon's support of a bipartisan effort to reform the program and restore a reasonable level of funding. Here's the hard, unvarnished truth about GAMC -- without changes, it costs Minnesota taxpayers $1 billion to provide healthcare coverage to 30,000 single adults every two years. Moreover, without reforms it demands 30 percent more state funding each budget cycle.

Loon appropriately recognized the fiscal disaster GAMC was and worked with her colleagues from both parties to develop a solution to an obvious problem. The solution, while some would say not perfect, went a long way to restoring fiscal sanity to the program. She then and now has expressed her willingness to make adjustments to the program to ensure that worthy applicants get the services necessary while also seeking to ensure fiscal discipline in St. Paul. This is the type of pragmatism we deserve from our state representative.

It's easy to criticize such a compromise when you are not responsible for the full range of outcomes. We should expect better of Mr. Daniel's and congratulate Rep. Loon on her work to restore fiscal discipline.

John Tyler, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, July 01, 2010)

Senate District 42B elected Rep. Jenifer Loon to represent us as our state representative. She has consistently made the tough vote to keep taxes and spending in line. Last year she authored legislation to allow us to purchase our health insurance across state lines that would have given Minnesota voters more control over their healthcare and their pocketbooks.

This year she authored an amendment to the Commerce Department bill that passed. This amendment gives larger group employers and individual policies the same cost-saving flexibility that is currently offered to the small employer market. This is a real and tangible solution to help Minnesotans control their healthcare costs and provide them real choices. Thank you Rep. Loon. We need to send her back to Saint Paul to continue her fine work there.

Donna Azarian, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, May 27, 2010)

There are alternatives to increasing taxes.  It's called "living within our means."  It's something every Minnesota family has to do right now.

All citizens, regardless of their political preference, feel economic struggles.  The people of Eden Prairie are pleading for fiscal responsibility.  In November 2010, Eden Prairie residents are fortunate to have two candidates for the state House of Representatives who will fight to alleviate the already steep tax burdens that are placed upon us.  Both Rep. Jenifer Loon and Kirk Stensrud want to cut government waster, cut taxes, stimulate the economy and make Minnesota a destination for jobs.

We all have the power to put Minnesota back on track this upcoming election season - by re-electing Rep. Jenifer Loon in Senate District 42B and electing small business owner Kirk Stensrud for state representative in Senate District 42A.

Jeffrey Meyerhofer, Eden Prairie
(reprinted from Eden Prairie News, May 27, 2010)

I want to applaud the great work that Rep. Jenifer Loon has been doing representing Eden Prairie (42B) in St. Paul.

I am continuously impressed with her involvement in the community, her values as a person, her ability to listen to her constituents and her capability to translate what she hears into action in St. Paul.  She is one of the most enthusiastic and restless representatives I have ever met.  Jenifer has a passion for the job and it is evident in her energy whether that is attending a speaking engagement, meeting with small business owners or simply listening t a constituent.  Ms. Loon's drive, her ability to listen and her capacity to execute makes her an ideal representative for Eden Prairie.

In this challenging time at the State Capitol, Eden Prairie is lucky to have someone with the aptitude, talent and devotion that Jenifer Loon has shown in the past two years.  Thank you Jenifer!