Dear Friends,
Yesterday, Republicans stood alongside our nursing home providers. Our state is facing a nursing home crisis and they are in desperate need of support in order to continue serving our seniors in their communities. Nursing homes are closing because they cannot afford to stay open, and there are many counties in Minnesota that only have one facility. Hospitals are clogged with patients that should be discharged to nursing homes. Unlike other facilities, nursing homes are the only other option besides a hospital with nurses available around the clock. We are turning thousands of people away that need nursing homes but cannot get a bed.
This week advocates spoke about the need to provide more funding for nursing homes. It the Legislature’s job to set the rates that nursing homes receive to hire and pay staff, care for residents, and cover their bills. They need our help today if we want them around to care for our seniors tomorrow. I encourage you to watch Kari Thurlow from Leading Age and Patti Cullen from Care Providers of Minnesota as they spoke in the Human Services Committee about the problems facing nursing homes. Please contact DFL legislators and Governor Walz and demand they prioritize our senior citizens.
Democrats Pass Transgender Sanctuary Bill in the Dark of Night
I shared last week that Democrats passed a bill to make Minnesota a transgender sanctuary state. We need to protect our kids. Period. Yet already we see events occurring that target young people. The Minneapolis School District is hosting a “gender resource fair” on April 13 that will include a guest speaker for parents from the director of gender program at Children’s Minnesota Hospital. While parents hear the presentation, students will attend a drag story hour.
This is what we are up against. We need to protect our kids. I encourage people to reach out to their Senators and urge them to not support this bill.
$17.5 Billion Surplus – Time for Tax Increases!
All session long Democrats have been on a spending spree. With a $17.5 billion surplus, we should be focused on tax relief for Minnesota’s families, not growing our bureaucracy. This week, committees examined the omnibus budget bills and it was no surprise that these bills are heavy on tax increases and spending, and light on tax relief.
Below are just a few examples of the tax increases that the Transportation committee is considering:
- 3/4 Cent Metro Area Sales Tax Increase for Transit: Residents in our community and the 7-county Metro Area are estimated to pay more than $2 billion over the next four years through this 3/4 cent sales tax. Language specifically states the Met Council must use this funding for more than 10 transit-related items.
- 75-Cent "Delivery Tax": Nearly $721 million is expected to be leveled on residents in the next four years who shop from home thanks to this tax on goods and prepared food deliveries. Your next pizza delivery will face this delivery tax to fund state and local roads. Rep. Koegel called this a “creative new way to generate revenue.”
- License Tab Fee increases: Democrats will raise around $861 million over the next four years in fees for renewing license tabs. They also want to enact a $10 surcharge on all tab renewals.
- Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Increase: Increasing the Motor Vehicles Sales Tax from 6.5% to 6.875% would cost motorists more than $227 million over the next four years.
It is shocking that Democrats would try to raise taxes when we have a historic surplus. We need to be focused on returning the $17.5 billion surplus to our families in the form of permanent, meaningful tax relief. Prices are continuing to rise for gas, groceries, and energy bills. Money needs to go back to family budgets instead of filling government’s coffers.