Dear Lakeville Friends and Neighbors,
Happy New Year!
I hope last month was a joyful time with family, friends, and loved ones as we celebrated the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. We know it’s been a challenging couple of years and despite that, I have faith that things will improve and am optimistic for Lakeville and Minnesota in 2022.
The legislature is set to return to St. Paul on January 31st for the start of this year’s legislative session. With the state’s two-year budget passed and signed into law last year, I expect this year’s session to operate in a less contentious manner. However, we still have a lot of work to do including determining how to manage the historic surplus.
As I have heard from many of you, I will advocate for tax reform and returning the surplus as opposed to increased spending on new programs. The reality may be different but we must have some savings, reform and refunds.
The 2021 legislative session was a difficult one as it was operated almost entirely via Zoom. This presented numerous challenges. Unfortunately, it appears that this year’s session will also largely be conducted via Zoom as decided by the House Speaker.
Despite the disruptions of 2021, we were nevertheless able to get good things done for Lakeville and Minnesota. This included standing strong and defeating more than $4 billion in proposed tax hikes while also helping deliver tax relief to businesses and unemployed Minnesotans, ending Governor Walz’s emergency powers, and successfully defeating numerous anti-police measures that were pushed by Democrats and would endanger our communities more.
Successfully supporting and passing areas of shared values. Improving Lives and Career Opportunities!
Additionally, I drafted or co-authored several bills that became law last year. They included legislation that provided important funding for organizations throughout the community that address developing workforce skills, domestic violence prevention, higher education opportunities for former foster children, and community hunger and youth homelessness.
I was also proud to continue my important and leading work on transportation related issues.
This included ensuring safety and security on public transit, and taking taxpayers off the hook for transit boondoggles like the Northstar commuter line.
Locally I drafted and PASSED provisions and bills to improve and start planning expansions for:
- Interstate 35 interchange at County Road 50 in Lakeville
- Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) in Apple Valley / Lakeville
- Highway 55 in Inver Grove Heights
- Highway 3 in Rosemount
I also helped pass provisions or bills to:
- Reform drivers license suspension to keep people’s ability to get to working
- Reopen driver license exam stations and implement "No Show" fees for coveted testing appointment times
- Provide better transparency and budgeting for Metro Mobility services
As we look to 2022, the biggest item the legislature will address is the state’s $7.7 billion budget surplus. This historic surplus provides us with opportunities to deliver meaningful relief to taxpayers who have been overcharged.
Ideas include eliminating state taxes on Social Security to make Minnesota a more welcoming home for seniors – especially those on fixed incomes. We should also act quickly to eliminate the tax increase on Minnesota businesses due to record-setting unemployment claims depleting Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. It is unacceptable that businesses could be facing a tax increase at a time when many continue to struggle.
Issues related to public safety will also receive attention due to the rise in violent crime in our state. While the crime wave has centered on the Twin Cities area, this issue matters to all Minnesotans. In fact, recently the Lakeville Police issued an advisory to keep your cars locked and garage doors closed in response to a rise in auto thefts and theft from vehicles.
There will be many, many more issues brought up during the coming legislative session. Thank you for your trust and support to represent our area. I am committed to representing you to make our state stronger and better for families by protecting our freedoms and futures.
Stay tuned and stay warm,
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A