Hello from the State Capitol,
The Minnesota House is once again open for business. I’m humbled by the opportunity to continue serving you and representing your interests.
Most of the work takes place in House committees; I serve on three of them over the next two years. In addition to serving as the Republican Lead on the Health Finance and Policy Committee, I also serve on the Ways and Means and Economic Development Finance and Policy committees.
The biggest item that must be addressed this session is our state’s projected $17.6 billion budget surplus. This record amount must be allocated before we adjourn in May and will hopefully be the focus of session this year.
TAX CONFORMITY APPROVED IN HOUSE
On January 9, the Minnesota House approved legislation that conforms Minnesota’s tax code with that of the federal government. Federal conformity is needed to ease filing compliance burdens and to help industries that were hardest hit from pandemic shutdowns – especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. Without state tax conformity, Minnesotans cannot take advantage of federal tax reduction provisions.
The bill has been sent to Governor Walz for his signature. I supported this tax conformity.
CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION BILLS MOVING FORWARD
Abortion is a top issue in the Minnesota House right now. In our Health Finance and Policy Committee, the House majority recently approved two bills. The first would allow abortions up until birth. The second would allow for more taxpayer funding of abortions, eliminate reporting requirements of abortions performed, remove parental notification of a minor seeking an abortion, and specify that if an abortion was in the process of being performed, and the baby was born alive, that the baby could be left for dead.
A reminder: I am pro-life. I am not and will not be supporting any of these proposals.
Have a good weekend,
Joe