Dear Neighbor,
It is disappointing Gov. Mark Dayton did not enact a bill that would provide more than $800 million in tax cuts over the next three years to middle-class Minnesotans.
The bill passed the Legislature with overwhelming, bipartisan support on a 123-10 vote in the House and 55-12 in the Senate. It would benefit thousands of Minnesotans, including veterans, college graduates, families, farmers, small businesses and more.
With Dayton not signing the bill by midnight Monday, the proposal reached its 14-day deadline for approval from the end of the 2016 session and expired.
The governor seems to be holding the tax bill hostage for additional spending he wants. He vetoed the most bipartisan tax bill in 30 years, one which received 90 percent support from the Legislature. Now, at the very least, tax relief that would benefit thousands of Minnesotans is being delayed.
House Republicans have agreed to two relatively minor changes the governor asked for in the bill. Dayton in a press conference today left the door open to calling the Legislature back to the Capitol in order to re-pass the proposal.
The situation is fluid, but at least there is continued discussion about a special session. I hope the governor does the right thing by working in good faith with the Legislature so we can deliver tax relief to Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
Paul