Dear Neighbors,
The Legislature is back from its Easter/Passover break, and we have a lot on our plate to get done before adjourning on May 21, like tax conformity, a strong bonding bill, and more. Here are some updates from the Capitol:
Opioid Bill
On Tuesday, the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee heard the bill designed to address the opioid epidemic in Minnesota. I announced my support for this bill a few weeks ago and am glad to co-author it.
I’m disappointed to see the “penny-a-pill” tax on pharmaceutical companies removed from the bill, as they continue to face little accountability for their role in this crisis. However, this legislation is still a step in the right direction and I’ll be advocating for its passage in the weeks ahead.
Visits
I had the opportunity to meet with numerous groups over the last couple weeks, including student nurses, the building trades, and more. A special thank you to the students at Spring Lake Park High School. It was great to visit and I enjoyed hearing from you.
Tax Conformity
Due to the passage of the federal tax bill last year, changes will be necessary at the state level. If we fully conform to the federal tax bill, Minnesota families will be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in higher taxes. This is unacceptable. I’m committed to making our tax system fair for everyone, not cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy on the backs of our families.
Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who made it to the town hall I hosted with Sen. Jerry Newton on April 2nd. It’s always such a valuable experience to hear from you and I appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to make it. If you weren’t able to attend, please feel free to contact me at the Capitol with your ideas and input.
Sincerely,
Erin Koegel
State Representative