Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Before I get to legislative news, congratulations to the Andover girls’ hockey team on their 7-1 victory in the first round of the state tournament yesterday! Best of luck to the Huskies in their semifinal matchup tonight at 6pm at the Xcel Energy Center.
It was a busy week at the Capitol and there are a number of things I wanted to update you on before the snowy weekend that lies ahead.
Landfill Update
Earlier this week, the Senate body as a whole passed legislation to provide full funding for the project to permanently clean up the WDE landfill in Andover. This bill then came over to the House, where it is still awaiting hearings and a vote from the whole body.
I continue to urge the Democrat Speaker to allow this bill to move forward and be voted on. It’s frustrating that the Democrat majority refuses to take action on this important issue. This project is being used as a political bargaining chip and it should not be. I wish all parties could just decide to do the right thing and not feel the need to “get” something for it.
Governor Budget Proposal Includes 20 Cent/gallon Gas Tax Increase
On Tuesday, Governor Walz unveiled his state budget proposal for the next two years. As I look at the governor’s budget, I am extremely disappointed by the massive tax hikes that are a major component of the proposal. These tax increases total more than $3 billion over the next two years, would make life more expensive for families and businesses, and take more money out of the pockets of every Minnesotan.
You’ve probably heard about the 20 cent per gallon gas tax increase the governor is proposing, which would make Minnesota the state with the 4th highest gas tax in the country. We already face a high overall tax burden, and this proposal would make every trip to the gas station more expensive. A 20 cent gas tax hike is like making everyone take a paycut. This would especially hurt drivers in our area who commute around the metro as well as area businesses moving their products by trucks, not to mention the poor and those on fixed incomes.
The governor’s proposal would also increase license tab fees, raise taxes on healthcare, and increase property taxes for small businesses around the state (after we reduced main street business property taxes two years ago). We are already seeing a migration of people and capital leave our state. The last thing we need is additional taxes that will drive even more people to tax-friendlier states.
Shared Parenting Bill
I am authoring a shared parenting bill this session to ensure children have equal access to both of their parents when the parents are separated and not living together under one roof. Likewise, this legislation seeks to ensure that fit, loving parents who are separated have equal access to their children. Current law only entitles parents a minimum of 25 percent parenting time with their children, which in practice often equates to only one night per week and one weekend per month. My bill would give both parents equal footing in the courtroom and ensure they each receive as close to 50 percent of the parenting time as possible.
I am proud to author this bill, which has earned bipartisan support from lawmakers. When I first decided to run for the legislature, one of my main goals was to affect change and help improve the lives of families in our community and around the state. By maximizing the time children and parents are able to spend with one another, I believe this law would have a positive impact on the lives of families dealing with these often difficult situations.
Local Events
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 21st Annual North Suburban Home Improvement Show, which will be Saturday, March 9 at the Andover YMCA Community Center. Complete information about the event can be found here: http://northsuburbanhomeshow.org/index.htm.
Please Contact Me
As always, I’m interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by email at rep.peggy.scott@house.mn or contact my office at 651-296-4231. Your input helps me to best represent our community in the legislature and I enjoy hearing from you.
Have a great weekend,
Peggy