Friends,
Last week the bills that set the budget for the next two years were introduced in the House and have been began making their way through the committee process. The overall plan is centered on a few key principles: bringing tax relief and reform to Minnesotans, fixing our roads and bridges, funding schools, and lowering health care costs. Read about some of the key budget areas and more below.
Tax Plan
The House Republican Tax bill uses the $1.6 billion surplus to give Minnesotans long overdue tax relief and reform. The surplus was built by hard-working Minnesotans and our tax bill delivers $1.35 billion in tax relief, prioritizing middle class Minnesotans. Our plan delivers that relief while maintaining our state’s financial stability.
A few key things our tax plan does for Minnesotans include increasing the income limit at which social security is taxable for Minnesota seniors, providing refundable student loan payment and college savings plan credit for students and their families, and providing expanded education deductions and child dependent care credits for working families
The plan even comes with its own theme song.
Transportation Plan
The Transportation Omnibus bill was introduced this week and it’s a welcome sight for the millions of Minnesotans who travel on our roads and bridges every day and taxpayers who don’t want to see more of their dollars wasted on unnecessary pet projects.
The bill addresses our statewide need to invest in roads and bridges and does so by using existing resources, not raising taxes. The plan totals $6 billion over 10 years and includes $25 million for the Small Cities Assistance Program, $25 million to fund 80 bridges that are a priority of MnDOT, and $98 million for counties and $30 million for city transportation projects.
My bill to create a Law Enforcement Memorial License Plate is included in this bill. It will create a special license plate, the proceeds of which will go to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association, which assists families of Minnesota law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
Testimony by law enforcement personnel in support of Rep. Quam's license plate bill
Capitol Essay Contest
Don’t forget to have your school-aged children enter the Capitol Essay Contest. Visit the website here for more information.
Visitors to Capitol
Recently, a number of constituents and groups from our area came to meet with me in Saint Paul. They include individuals from the Homes for All MN, Bike MN, Rochester Boys & Girls Club, Dodge County Soil & Water Conservation District, Dodge County Public Health, Mayo Clinic Pediatrics, and the City of Rochester. There were also veterans from Oronoco and Byron.
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Thank you and have a great week,
Duane