ST. PAUL, MN—On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the House passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
“Middle class tax relief and road and bridge funding were our top priorities this session, and we are able to come to a bipartisan compromise on both of these issues,” said Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover. “After our first budget proposal was vetoed, we were able to come together and complete our work. We had an extremely productive legislative session, and I’m proud of our work for Minnesotans.”
The Republican-led tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly two decades—for Minnesota families in the 2018-2019 biennium and three-quarters of a billion dollars in tax relief in the 2020-2021 biennium. It includes relief for seniors on social security, college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses. In addition, Republicans championed and the legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees.
During regular session, the legislature passed budget bills for Public Safety, Higher Education, Jobs & Energy Affordability, Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources. Altogether, the legislature is sending ten budget bills, a bonding bill, and a labor standards bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.
"Our bonding proposal includes much-needed funding to clean up the WDE Landfill in Andover," said Scott. "I have worked hard this session to fund this important project, and I'm happy to see it will be addressed in the coming year."
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