Dear Neighbor,
Before we get into this week’s legislative news, I want to alert motorists to a bridge closure along CSAH 65, 1.5 miles east of Melrose (over the Sauk River). Detours will be necessary over the next three months, the estimated length of time it will take to construct a replacement bridge. Click here for a detour map. Hope this construction doesn’t cause too much of an inconvenience, but at least it should be done in time for summer travels.
One of the biggest news items from St. Paul this week is that Minnesota Management and Budget on Wednesday issued the state’s February economic forecast. The report shows a $329 million revenue surplus for the biennium ending in June of 2019. That translates to a $517 million improvement on the bottom line since the November forecast, the largest three-month gain in 20 years. Also of note is the report calls for even larger gains in the 2020-21 biennium, with a $650 million increase projected.
The main thing is that the number was a positive number, moving in the right direction. It shows that the policies we’re putting in place here in St. Paul are working in terms of growing business and growing revenue for the state and yet, at the same time we had a significant cut in taxes. Hopefully this improved bottom line will help us as we work on conforming to tax changes at the federal level.
After using last week’s meetings to reassemble and reorganize, committees began digging into the issues this week. That includes the Agriculture Policy Committee which I continue to chair.
One bill Ag Policy looked at this week would allow conservation organizations to have their grasslands grazed by a farmer’s cattle and retain tax-exempt status on those lands. This would encourage these organizations to allow farmers more access to pasture land without fearing they would suffer tax consequences. The 2,400-acre Ordway Prairie Complex in southern Pope County, for example, could be opened up for grazing if this provision becomes law.
Another bill we discussed would set up parameters for a statewide promotional council on wineries and vineyards.
Both of these bills remain alive in the legislative process and have additional committee stops to make.
Look for more news on these and other issues soon. Until next time, have a good weekend and enjoy the thaw we are experiencing.
Sincerely,
Paul