Dear Neighbors,
It’s been another busy week in St. Paul as Democrats continue their push to increase government spending by 40%, spend down the entire $17.5 billion budget surplus, and raise taxes by nearly $10 billion. Our time was almost exclusively spent on the House Floor debating omnibus budget bills and time and again we are seeing Democrats' misplaced priorities littered throughout these bills.
Environment/Energy Bill
On Monday, the House approved this year’s Environment and Energy Omnibus Budget Bill. This bill makes life more expensive for Minnesotans by driving up energy costs, and raising fees for fishing, boating, and more at a time when we have a $17.5 billion budget surplus.
I was also concerned about the out-of-control government growth the bill represented including a 513% increase in Climate and Energy spending and a 2,286% growth in the Renewable Development Account.
Massive fee increases and huge growth in government spending coupled with anti-business policies make for an easy “NO” vote.
Transportation Bill
On Wednesday, the Transportation Budget Bill was approved. This bill raises about $3.5 billion in new taxes at a time when the state has a record-setting budget surplus. Again, there is no need whatsoever to raise billions in taxes when the state has a $17.5 billion budget surplus.
Here are some of the proposed taxes in the bill:
- Metro Area Sales Tax Increase totaling more than $2 billion.
- $513 million via a new “delivery” tax that would impact Amazon deliveries, DoorDash, Pizza shops, and everything in between.
- $736 million in license tab fee increases.
- $215 million via a Motor Vehicle Sales Tax increase.
The bill also would include $194 million in spending to pay for a passenger train to Duluth and no requirement for Met Council to hire additional police for transit safety issues that have been a serious concern with light rail trains.
I voted “NO”.
State Government Finance and Policy Bill
This bill grows bureaucracy by 41% and includes massive pay raises for politicians, funding for Gov. Walz to spend $17,000 a month of taxpayer money on renting a lakeside mansion, while the Governor’s mansion is being renovated, and $500 million+ for a brand-new State Office Building.
Again, the spending is completely out-of-control and detached from reality.
Veterans Bill
This week we approved the Veterans and Military Affairs Bill. The legislation passed with unanimous support on a 131-0 vote. This bill is about taking care of the brave men and women that have served our nation.
As always, it was encouraging to see such a strong show of bipartisan support for this bill. It goes to show you that despite our disagreements around several issues, we can still come together in support of our veterans.
Staying in Touch
Please 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