Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Following my email update yesterday, I want to thank everyone who took the time to contact Governor Dayton and encourage him to sign the bipartisan tax bill that would have provided more than $800 million in tax relief for middle-class Minnesotans over the next three years. Unfortunately, the governor chose to let time expire last night and pocket vetoed the measure.
Supported by eight-nine percent of legislators, the tax bill would have provided relief for people across the state including families, farmers, veterans, Main Street businesses and college graduates. More disappointing still is that the governor had promised he would not hold the tax bill hostage for other special session negotiations and went back on his word.
The governor sent a letter to lawmakers last week, sharing a long list of demands that included transit projects like Southwest Light Rail and costly supplemental spending and bonding projects. He also outlined two changes to the tax bill, one of which was fixing a minor one-word drafting error, and House Republicans agreed to both of those changes. There is precedent for taking legislative intent to remedy minor drafting errors, and House Republicans also offered a Special Session solely to fix the tax bill. Both suggestions were turned down.
Negotiations are still continuing between legislative leaders and Governor Dayton. I am disappointed that tax relief was used as leverage by the governor, blocking vital tax relief for our communities and hardworking taxpayers statewide. I will keep you updated should any agreement or Special Session proposal move forward.
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As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you or your family on a matter of state government. I am here to serve you!
Sincerely,
Brian