Friends,
This week, the budget forecast was released. Minnesota has a $9.25 billion surplus. This is more evidence that we have been overtaxed for way too long. It is time we use that money to end the social security tax, refill our unemployment trust fund and return the rest of those dollars to you – the taxpayer!
I was joined by several of my colleagues for a press conference this week. We presented the Public Safety Proposal. It is no secret that Minnesota needs harsher punishment for criminals. Our proposal would prevent crime, recruit more law enforcement and hold the justice system accountable. Several pieces of legislation that I wrote or cosponsored are part of this proposal, including:
- $15 million to law enforcement agencies for body camera grants with a preference to small agencies and a 25 percent local match requirement – HF 3356
- Judges and prosecutors who depart from mandatory minimum sentences for crimes of violence that include a firearm must be publicly posted on the Sentencing Guidelines website – HF 3353
- County Attorneys required to report on cases where charges are dropped – HF 3355
I also joined 16 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the President. We requested that President Biden commit to energy independence. If he were to open the Keystone XL Pipeline, more than 830,000 gallons of oil could be produced a day. That is more than what we import from Russia. The letter also asked the President to reconsider mineral leases cancellation. He boasted during his State of the Union that he was going to create microchip plants here in America. However, without these minerals we have right here in Minnesota, you cannot create any microchips!
I always appreciate hearing from you and please let me know if I can do anything for you.