Greetings,
The big news of the week centered on Minnesota’s updated budget forecast, which remains enormous.
NEARLY $20 BILLION STATE SURPLUS
The real total of this budget forecast is nearly $20 billion, as the economic experts reduced the amount by $1.42 billion for inflation and more than $1 billion the majority party has already spent. As it stands now, $17.5 billion remains and must be allocated in some fashion before session ends. To me the solution for this surplus is cut and dried. We need tax relief.
HOUSE MAJORITY OPPOSES SOCIAL SECURITY TAX RELIEF
Following the economic news, House Republicans attempted to bring forward a plan I’ve supported for years: eliminating state taxation on Social Security benefits for ALL of Minnesota’s senior citizens. When given the opportunity to vote to move this proposal forward on the House floor, all Republicans voted yes, almost all Democrats voted no.
To hear my comments during the House floor debate on Social Security tax relief, click here.
WHERE’S THE RELIEF?
It’s not only Social Security tax relief that is being ignored by the majority party. Since approving a conformity proposal that aligns Minnesota’s tax code with that of the federal government, we have heard no other comments from the majority about income, property or any other tax relief proposal that would benefit struggling Minnesotans.
CAPITOL VISITORS
This week, a local high school junior joined us in St. Paul by taking part in the Minnesota High School Page Program. It was great to meet with Cathedral High School student Ava LaBine as she learned more about state government and the legislative process.
FFA students from Sauk Rapids-Rice also stopped in for a visit as part of “FFA Day on the Hill.”
Members of the Minnesota Beverage Dealers also dropped by.
In addition, I also had visits from:
Greg Gack, MCA
United for Life constituents
Great River Library constituents
Moses Wiseman, St John’s University
Mark Koch, Compeer Financial
Thanks to all who stopped by!
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Have a good weekend,
Tim