Greetings -
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I hope you enjoy your St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Social Security Tax Exemption
On Thursday, Senator Putnam declared an urgency in the Senate to move the bill that removes Social Security state tax to the General Register. However, since all tax bills need to originate in the House, Republicans declared an urgency later that afternoon to keep the House bill moving with the Senate. The vote failed; however, Rep Wolgamott and one other DFL House member voted with the Republicans on this issue.
I will keep fighting and working with my colleagues to make sure we get this across the finish line so that ALL seniors in Minnesota get the tax relief they deserve.
Safe and Sound Minnesota
Late last week, House and Senate Republicans released our plan to improve public safety in Minnesota. The plan includes 17 bills that focus on confronting the criminal threat, supporting police, and overhauling our court system to require more transparency and accountability.
A few specific proposals in the package include:
- Making carjacking a crime
- Increasing penalties for fleeing police in a motor vehicle
- Increasing sentences for those convicted of at least two prior crimes of violence
- Aligning fentanyl to the same weight thresholds and penalties as heroin
- Increasing sworn officers on Metro Transit
- Increasing the penalty for transferring a firearm to an ineligible person and requiring a court to ensure someone who has been ordered to give up their firearms has indeed done so
- Mandatory minimum sentences for criminals who commit crimes with a firearm
These are commonsense proposals that will help keep Minnesotans safe in their neighborhoods and communities.
Capitol Visitors
Youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota visited this week.
Other visitors from this week included:
- Stearns and Benton County Soil and Water
- MN Chiropractic Association
- School officials and Superintendents from Holdingford and Sartell
- Constituent graduate from ProStart program (Sauk Rapids)
- Constituents representing local insurance agencies
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 and Happy St. Patrick’s Day,
Tim