Dear Neighbors,
It was a busy week at the Capitol as omnibus supplemental finance bills have started to make their way to the floor for approval by the House. On Thursday, the House passed its education omnibus bill which funds school security improvements, addresses student mental health, and brings more transparency to education.
A huge component of this year’s bill was school safety. Following the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, it has been my commitment to find solutions that not only work to improve school safety but are also broadly supported and have a realistic chance to become law.
To that end, I am proud of our multifaceted approach that gives school districts the flexibility they need to leverage resources to tailor their specific needs.
Here are some highlights from the education bill:
Tax Conformity Proposals Released
Over the weekend, House Republicans released their plan to conform Minnesota’s tax code to changes made at the federal level. In summation, our plan seeks to simplify Minnesota’s code while also lowering taxes for Minnesotans.
Highlights include:
Conversely, Governor Dayton’s plan will raise taxes on Minnesotans of all income levels. In fact, analysis by his own Department of Revenue found that Minnesotans making less than $32,000 a year will be hit hardest by his proposal. In total, he is seeking to reinstate more than $1 billion in health care tax increases and to repeal tax reductions that were enacted last session.
Again, this is a very complicated issue, but I remain hopeful that we will find some sort of resolution before the legislative session is finished.
Staying in Touch
Bruce Kinnunen and Chad Bullock from the West Central Telephone Association in Sebeka visited this week, thanks for stopping by!
We need all the help we can get to remove any leftover opioids left in homes that need proper disposal.
That’s why I’m asking you to take part in the 15th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and is taking place this Saturday, April 28. Learn more and locate a collection site near you on the Minnesota’s Hospitals: Strengthening Healthy Communities website and on the DEA website.
If you know of someone who would like to receive these updates, please forward this email to them (Sign up here).
Also, like me on Facebook!
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-4293, or rep.john.poston@house.mn.
Sincerely,