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| Date: | January 24, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Senator Paul Gazelka, Minnesota Senate Convenes 2012 Legislative Session |
St. Paul—The Minnesota Senate convened Tuesday for the start of the 2012 Legislative Session. Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd) is serving his second session in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Gazelka gave the following statement regarding the new legislative session.
“I’m thrilled to be back representing the people of Senate District 12 at the State Capitol. I will continue to prioritize policies that foster job growth in our community. We began our last session with a $5 billion deficit but by focusing on reforming government, reducing spending and some private sector job growth, state economists now forecast an $876 million surplus. We made significant progress last session and I see this session as an opportunity to build on those successes,” said Senator Gazelka.
On December 27, 2011, Senator Gazelka was selected by his peers in the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus to serve as an Assistant Majority Leader.
“I am honored that my fellow senators elected me to serve on their leadership team and I am ready to lead in this new role as we kick off the 2012 legislative session. I bring a unique voice to the leadership table this session with my small business background and my experience in greater Minnesota,” said Senator Gazelka.
Senator Gazelka is Vice Chair on the Committee for Commerce and Consumer Protection and also serves on the Committees for Environment and Natural Resources, State Government Innovation and Veterans and Transportation.
“My legislative priority this session is to identify ways we can make Minnesota more business friendly and in turn promote job creation. Reducing regulations and streamlining the permitting process is one of those major steps towards improving the business climate in our great state. If we get unnecessary government obstacles out of the way of entrepreneurs and businesses looking to expand, job growth will follow. I look forward to sponsoring legislation that addresses those regulatory and permitting roadblocks so we can get Minnesotans back to work,” concluded Senator Gazelka.
Senator Gazelka was elected to his first term in the Minnesota State Senate in November 2010. Senator Gazelka can be reached at: 651-296-5252 (office) or sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn.
