by U.S. Congressman Erik Paulsen

It was great to be home in Minnesota last week visiting district businesses and speaking with local elementary and high school students. Here's an update on the latest from our nation's Capitol. Let me know whenever I can be of assistance and keep in touch. Remember to follow me on Twitter and Facebook and get my free iPhone App.

Helping Job Creators 

With May’s unemployment rate cresting over 9 percent and over 13 million Americans looking for work this month, America is at a crossroads. I'm working on solutions to spur job creation and get our economy back on track, so Minnesota businesses—large and small—can continue to provide innovative products and services.

It is imperative that we empower small businesses in Minnesota by reducing the regulatory burden holding them back from creating new, well paying jobs. As of 2008, small businesses face an annual regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee. With small businesses producing 64 percent of all new jobs over the last 15 years, it is critical that we remove the redundant and harmful barriers to job creation and investment that small businesses face. 

As we work to bring down the burdensome regulations imposed on American job creators, we also need tax reform. The United States has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world which has impeded America’s global competitiveness. President Obama signaled his support for this reform, and I also support making the tax code simpler, globally competitive and less burdensome for American families and businesses. 

We must also commit to paying down our unsustainable debt burden, and have the government live within its means. That's one reason I voted NOT to increase the debt ceiling by another $2.4 trillion. Our nation’s $14 trillion debt is creating vast uncertainty for Minnesota job creators and investors. In fact, last week 150 economists called for an end to stimulus spending and for prudent spending cuts to boost our economy and help create a better climate for job creation in America. I firmly believe you deserve a government that spends its money as wisely as you spend your own.

Please check out some other ideas for creating jobs here. 

Talking Jobs With the South Korean Ambassador 

Last week I meet with South Korean Ambassador Han Duk-Soo, as well as Minnesota businesses, to discuss how we can move forward with finding new customers for products made in our respective countries. With exports of manufactured goods supporting an estimated 146,000 jobs in Minnesota, open and positive trade agreements are an important component of our economy strength.

The need to pass the new trade agreement with South Korea is becoming increasingly urgent before we lose market share to other countries.  As co-chair of the U.S./South Korea Free Trade Agreement Working Group, I am working to bring jobs and investment to Minnesota.

Patients Freedom to Choose Act Gains 100 Co-Sponsors

As it stands now, the new healthcare law prohibits patients from using money in their own Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts to purchase simple over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol and Claritin without getting a prescription from their doctor.  

This is creating burdensome paper work for doctors and increasing health care costs for hard-working families. That's why I've introduced legislation (Patients Freedom to Choose Act) to protect your ability to use your own HSA and FSA funds to purchase over-the-counter medicine without a doctor's prescription. This common sense legislation received its 100th co-sponsor in the House of Representatives last week.