With folks from a group home in Fosston, who came to talk about a number of important issues for the disability community including preventing a seven percent cut to the Disability Waiver Rate System. It’s something House Republicans have prioritized in our budget targets, and I appreciate them coming down to the Capitol!
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’re approaching the third committee deadline, meaning we’re busy at work finalizing supplemental legislation in the House. Here is an update from the Capitol.
House File 4144
This session, I am advancing legislation that would require the Department of Revenue to report on their current methods to value pipeline property in Minnesota. The report would include:
- A description of prior and current methods to value pipeline property
- An evaluation of the accuracy of current methods being used to estimate market value
- A detailed explanation of all pipeline valuation appeals over the last 20 years
- An evaluation of whether the property tax system adequately compensates local jurisdictions for the costs to those jurisdictions under the existing property tax system
- A comparison of the valuation methods for pipelines employed by other states
- Recommendations for new legislation and valuation methods
This legislation was crafted because of the lawsuit moving forward that could hurt our local counties. Enbridge believes the market value of their property is being valued far higher by the state than its actual value, to the tune of about $1.6 billion. If Enbridge wins, counties could be forced to pay even though they did not assess the property.
This is a commonsense step forward to see what the state is doing, and bring more needed transparency to the property valuation process.
House File 3171
In Health and Human Services Finance this week, we had a detailed discussion about social isolation, and the impact it can have on the health and well-being of Minnesotans—especially seniors.
Both physical and mental health can be negatively impacted by prolonged periods of isolation, and looking at creative ways we can address this problem will lead to better outcomes for many Minnesotans.
Governor’s Budget Raises Taxes on Minnesotans
A recently released analysis of Governor Dayton’s supplemental budget shows that his plan is regressive and will raise taxes on Minnesotans of every income level. This review was done by his own Department of Revenue,
Governor Dayton has proposed reinstating more than $1 billion in health care tax increases, repealing tax reductions enacted last session, and a number of other changes surround federal tax reform passed last year. Folks who make $32,000 or less would be hit the hardest by his plan.
House Republicans are working on a comprehensive federal tax conformity bill, and our plan will work to ensure Minnesotans are able to take full advantage of tax relief at both the state and federal level, holding as many folks as possible harmless. I will share more soon.
Nitrate Bill
On Monday, the House passed a bipartisan bill that will protect farmers from burdensome regulations. House File 2887 prevents the Minnesota Department of Agriculture from adopting water resource protection requirements for nitrogen fertilizers, unless those rules are approved by the Legislature.
The proposed nitrate rule, which has yet to be released publically by the Dayton Administration, should go through a proper vetting from legislators and the public. We think this is a commonsense way to do that.
We all support clean water, but the agriculture community must be allowed to be a partner in this process.
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It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you!
Sincerely,
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B