Dear Neighbors, Last week, the Legislature approved compromise legislation to repay the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, reversing a massive 2.7 billion dollar tax increase on job creators, as well as funding to provide bonus payments to frontline workers who worked hard to keep people healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. On a vote of 124-5, the House approved the bill that fully repays the trust fund, which was depleted throughout the pandemic. The bill also includes funding for bonuses to frontline workers. If you are an employer, this link to a new FAQ page created by DEED should help you make sure you are paying the appropriate amount following the passage of this bill. Please reference this page for any questions you may have: https://mn.gov/uimn/employers/employer-account/news-updates/tax-changes-affect-you.jsp It’s disappointing that it took this long to get this done, but I am nevertheless pleased to see the bill signed into law by Gov. Walz. Supplemental Budget Bills The House Democrat majority’s remaining supplemental budget bills were approved this week. In total, three additional bills passed this week. Here’s a brief rundown of the three final bills. Health and Human Services: this bill spends hundreds of millions of dollars over the next four years only to drive up the cost of health care and impose burdensome regulations. It fails to solve Minnesota’s current long-term care crisis and moves Minnesota closer to a government takeover of health care which would result in less choice and billions in tax hikes on everyone. Taxes: with a massive, now $7 billion budget surplus, House Democrats fail to provide middle-class families with meaningful, permanent tax cuts. Across their budget, Democrats seek to spend $21 for every $1 in tax cuts/reductions. Labor/Workforce/Climate and Energy/Commerce: Democrats combined spending and policy from the areas of Labor, Workforce, Climate and Energy, and Commerce into a single omnibus bill. While Minnesotans are struggling with inflation and soaring gas/prices, this bill would make the problem even worse by raising billions of dollars in taxes and imposing new expensive mandates on job creators. Like the bills last week, this latest batch of omnibus bills will head to conference committee with the Senate where they will work out the differences. I expect the Senate Republican majority to hold firm and make sure that most of these controversial provisions do not become law. Staying in TouchPlease do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts or concerns you may have about state government or the job I'm doing as your representative. It would be great to talk with you. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-8237 or via email at rep.brian.daniels@house.mn. Have a great day, Brian |