Dear Lakeville Neighbors,
The 2022 legislative session is set to begin on Monday, and it is an election year, so it’s sure to be an active year in St. Paul. The biggest item the legislature will address this year is the state’s historic $7.7 billion budget surplus. Such a surplus is proof that state government is collecting too much of Minnesotans’ hard-earned dollars.
That’s why it’s so important that we pass meaningful and permanent tax reforms that will make sure that families can keep more of their money to strengthen their budgets and increase opportunity.
Watch out for election year Gimmicks
Gov. Walz has proposed gimmicky, one-time payments to the tune of $175 for individuals and $350 for married couples as a means of giving some of the surplus back to Minnesotans. These one-time payments would account for less than 10 percent of the $7.7 billion surplus! There’s no doubt that Walz would like to spend the rest of the surplus on programs that will grow the size of state government.
Increased, ongoing government spending is poor policy at a time when we’re seeing the highest levels of inflation in decades and with Minnesota already having received billions in aid and stimulus from the federal government. (adding to national debt too)
Let’s reject election year gimmicks like these one-time payments and instead work to provide the structural tax reforms that all Minnesotans deserve and that will set us up for longer term prosperity.
Session Priorities
In addition to pursuing tax reforms, other priorities I have this year include:
- Addressing rising levels of crime across the Twin Cities
- Empowering parents to be involved in their child’s education and rejecting politically motivated curriculum like Critical Race Theory
- Reforming the state’s peacetime emergency power laws
- Strengthening laws that respect the personal health decisions of individuals and families
- Continue supporting common sense solutions to the problems facing Minnesota while promoting personal freedom and liberty and limiting the growth of government
There will be many more issues brought up during the coming legislative session. Stay tuned for more information as the session proceeds. Next update, I'll share specific bills I’ll be introducing.
Unbelievable Overruns with Southwest Light Rail
As a member of the Metropolitan Government Legislative Commission, we learned about the latest setback of the Southwest Light Rail project as costs continue to balloon and the project end date keeps getting pushed back. The line is now projected to open in 2027—four years behind the original schedule.
The news Wednesday was that the Metropolitan Council had voted unanimously to authorize a $210 million settlement with the construction contractor. This payment exhausts the $2.2 billion that was earmarked to pay for construction. The Council finally admitted that it will likely require $450 million to $550 million MORE to finish systems work and get the line operational.
At this time, it is unclear where this money is supposed to come from.
Click the above image or this link to watch a story from KARE 11 on this story.
This latest setback has renewed calls from myself and others for increased transparency at the Metropolitan Council and for audits of the Southwest Light Rail project. It is a good idea to put a pause on any further expenditures on Southwest Light Rail and any future light rail plans until a full audit is completed.
It would be irresponsible to move forward without taking a close look at the mess surrounding this project. It’s time for Gov. Walz and others to stop rubber-stamping every cost overrun with minimal transparency or public input. To make it worse, the administration is including $200M for planning another extension of light rail called the “Blue line”. The cost overruns and delays are almost unbelievable, but we are fighting to bring common sense to these ideas.
Old Style Politics - Caucus Meetings Feb 1
Precinct caucuses in Minnesota are set for Tuesday, February 1, in locations across the state, so check online to find how you can get involved in your area.
Meetings begin promptly at 7 p.m. and allow time to discuss issues affecting our lives and to elect delegates to the local conventions and to the congressional district convention. There is also time to meet with friends and neighbors who share your political views. There will be a governor Straw poll as well.
For helpful, non-partisan information on what caucus is and where your location is, follow this link to the Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses/
Whether you caucus with the DFL, GOP, or another political party, it is important that you are involved in the process!
Our democracy depends on a vigilant and engaged populous, and I hope to see you attend on Tuesday night, February 1st.
I appreciate your trust and support to represent Lakeville and our area. I remain committed to representing you to make our state stronger and better by protecting our families, our freedoms and our futures. Together we will realize our best days ahead.
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A