Tax Relief heads to governor's desk, Senate Democrats sink transportation and bonding over light rail train in Minneapolis
SAINT PAUL, MINN—The Minnesota House adjourned sine die Sunday evening, officially concluding the 2016 legislative session. The House and Senate passed several bills, including more than half a billion dollars in permanent, middle-class tax relief and historic tax breaks for Minnesota's veterans, as well as broadband funding for underserved areas across the state.
The Minnesota House passed a bonding bill with $696.5 million in funding for roads and bridges on a bipartisan vote of 91 to 39. In a political maneuver, the Senate DFL majority failed to pass the bonding bill and prevented funding from going to the following local projects:
- $12.5 million for Small Cities Road Assistance, a new program established by House Republicans last year
- $826,000 for Northland Community College Laboratory Renovations in East Grand Forks
- $3 million for the Polk County North Country Food Bank in Crookston which serves 21 counties in Northern Minnesota
- $5.3 million for the Sewer Interconnect between East Grand Forks, Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Lake Bronson dam repair
- Polk County solid waste improvement project that will serve six counties
“Folks in rural Minnesota will see meaningful tax relief, from families and veterans to Main Street businesses when our tax legislation is signed into law,” said Rep Dan Fabian (R-Roseau). “House Republicans also led the way to provide significant funding for transportation needs in our area, and it's unfortunate that the Senate decided to pull a last minute stunt and block vital funding for rural roads and bridges for an expensive light rail project in Minneapolis.”
"Following last year’s meaningful investments in education, agriculture and nursing homes, this year we are providing substantial, bipartisan middle-class tax relief for families, veterans, college students, farmers and Greater Minnesota businesses. In addition, we passed significant funding to improve our transportation infrastructure, and I am disappointed the Senate DFL majority decided to block that bipartisan proposal and hold it hostage for a train in Minneapolis,” said Rep. Deb Kiel (R-Crookston).
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State Rep. Deb Kiel serves District 1B and State Rep. Dan Fabian serves District 1A