Dear Neighbor, Another busy week is coming to a close at the Capitol as we prepare to enter the final month of the 2024 session. Before we get to the latest official business in the House, I want to recognize the city of Clinton has been awarded $1.3 million in state financing for wastewater infrastructure. This Minnesota Public Facilities Authority funding is provided through a Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant, with a USDA Rural Development match. It will be used for sewer rehabilitation on the west side of the city and improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Congratulations to Clinton residents and the local officials who were successful in this grant application. More PFA information is at this link. In other news: The House is in the process of putting omnibus spending bills through the final committee steps so they can come to the floor for consideration. It’s not an official budget year, but Democrats have agreed to spend an additional half a billion dollars over the next three years after already increasing the state budget by 40 percent just last year. I am working closely with the ag-related omnibus package and will have more to share on that as it comes to a vote of the full body. Another finance issue to watch pertains to Emergency Medical Services across our state facing a $120 million shortfall, threatening our emergency response system and putting the lives of Minnesotans at risk. House Republicans hosted a press conference this week to call attention to the issue and urge additional funding for this core function of public safety. The Democrats have allocated just $16 million in their supplemental budget to address this $120 million deficit, which is far short of what is needed to sustain our EMS services. Our local first responders do an exceptional job, and we count on them to be there when we need them most. They make incredible sacrifices and put their own health on the line to serve the rest of us. The very least we can do is make sure they have adequate funding to honor our government’s top responsibility of protecting Minnesotans. On a final note, Tax Day Tax Day was this week. While the income tax obligations for most Minnesotans have now been met, people continue to feel the pain of increased everyday tax burdens thanks to the decisions made by a Democrat-controlled state government. Last year, Democrats in full control of the Capitol raised taxes on Minnesotans by $10 billion despite an $18 billion state surplus and continue to find new ways to take more money out of family budgets. Of the $10 billion in Democrat tax hikes, only $3 billion of it has gone into effect. This means if you’re already having financial problems, brace yourself for more. For example, one-party Democrat control voted to make everything you order more expensive. Their new delivery tax takes effect in 11 weeks. In addition to the new tax on deliveries, notable tax increases approved last session impact motor vehicle registration fees and a paid family and medical leave program that will be paid for by all workers and business owners. Also, the gas tax was put on an inflator, which means the state is automatically taking money out of Minnesotans’ pockets as inflation rises. Until next time, have a good weekend and please stay in touch. Sincerely, Paul |