Historic tax and transportation bills highlight 2017 legislative achievements
ST. PAUL, MN—On Friday morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the legislature passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
"Minnesotans should be proud of the compromise that defined this session of divided government," said Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron. "With Republican majorities in the House and Senate and Democrat Mark Dayton as Governor, we were able to come to agreement on the largest tax reform and relief package in nearly two decades while also making the largest investment in roads and bridges without raising taxes."
The Republican-led tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly two decades—for Minnesota families in the 2018-2019 biennium and three-quarters of a billion dollars in tax relief in the 2020-2021 biennium. It includes relief for seniors on social security, college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses. In addition, Republicans championed and the legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees.
“This legislative session will go down as one of the most productive in recent memory. Working under divided government, we balanced our state budget and successfully passed key priorities including tax relief, road and bridge funding and health care reforms. The budget bills were agreed upon by the House, Senate and the governor’s office,” said Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. “I am particularly proud Republican majorities delivered the largest tax cut in nearly two decades and the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in state history without a tax increase.”
During regular session, the legislature passed budget bills for Public Safety, Higher Education, Jobs & Energy Affordability, Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources. Altogether, the legislature is sending ten budget bills, a bonding bill, and a labor standards bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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