With East Polk County Watershed District members
With Polk, Norman and Mahnomen County public health nurses
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Budget Targets
On Monday, House Republicans released their budget targets which show our commitment to limiting government growth responsibly, while also investing in priorities important to Minnesotans.
With a substantial state surplus, our first priority was to return money to the hardworking taxpayers who helped fund it. In all, our budget includes $1.35 billion in tax relief for folks across the state. Additionally, we are putting $1.1 billion in new funding into K-12 schools over last biennium, $450 million in new funding for road and bridge infrastructure and working to make health care more affordable.
I believe this is a responsible budget proposal that puts the people of our state first and respects taxpayers. House committees are now busy at work crafting their respective finance omnibus bills which will soon be debated and passed on the House floor.
Transportation and Tax Relief
As omnibus bills are moving through committees this week, I thought I would talk about two issues important to Northwest Minnesota—transportation and tax relief.
First, the Transportation Finance Committee, of which I am a member, unveiled its omnibus bill earlier this week which will make significant investments in road and bridge infrastructure across the state without raising taxes. In total, the bill will invest $6 billion into our state’s infrastructure over the next decade. The bill will invest $450 million into road and bridge infrastructure by redirecting transportation funding streams into transportation priorities including existing taxes on auto parts, auto repairs and auto rentals. What’s more, we are continuing a popular program for Greater Minnesota that dedicates $12.5 million each year for small city road projects for communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
Additionally, the Tax Committee also unveiled their bill this week which, as I mentioned in budget targets, provides more than $1.35 billion in meaningful, middle-class tax relief. Key provisions in the bill reduce the state tax on social security income, reduce the tax burden on agriculture landowners, help families with childcare expenses, provide relief for those paying back student loans and reduce the extra state property tax on hometown businesses. Moreover, the bill also includes a provision for the expansion of Digi-Key in Thief River Falls, as well as my bills for the local option sales tax in East Grand Forks and the border city provision to help border cities like East Grand Forks attract businesses and compete with neighboring cities.
I will keep you updated as these and more omnibus bills move through the legislative process in the coming weeks.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B