Friends and Neighbors,
Last week concluded another busy week at the legislature, with Friday being the third committee deadline. In order for a major finance or appropriation bill to continue going through the legislative process and ultimately have a chance to become law, it must be approved by committees by the third deadline. Accordingly, the legislature was focused primarily on committee work last week as omnibus finance bills were assembled and approved by their respective committees. These bills will be coming to the House floor in the coming weeks to be voted on by the House as a whole.
Budget Proposals
In late February, state officials announced a $329 million budget surplus for the state of Minnesota. The House recently adopted supplemental budget targets for how to use that surplus. House Republicans remain committed to dedicating the majority of this surplus to providing meaningful tax relief to middle class Minnesotans, in addition to investing in our state’s transportation needs through roads and bridges.
The governor recently came out with a budget proposal and the Department of Revenue reports it would raise taxes on every income bracket. The report (from the governor’s own Department of Revenue) also indicates households making less than $32,000 would be hit hardest. The proposal also involves reinstating more than $1 billion in health care tax increases and repealing tax reductions enacted last session.
House Republicans are taking a different approach with our supplemental tax bill, which was rolled out at the end of last week. Its main focus is on simplifying Minnesota’s tax code to allow taxpayers to fully benefit from recent federal tax reform, in addition to providing additional tax relief to middle-class Minnesotans. The proposed legislation would allow middle-class families to keep more of what they earn by providing a tax rate reduction for the first time in nearly two decades. I will be sure to keep you updated with additional details as the bill works its way through the legislative process in the weeks ahead.
Broadband Funding
The House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee’s omnibus bill includes a provision to allocate $15 million for rural broadband efforts through our state’s border-to-border broadband program. I was a co-author of the initial bipartisan legislation to provide this funding, and I am happy to see it included in the omnibus bill. Access to quality broadband is a critical infrastructure need for the rural communities in Chisago County and across the state. In the weeks ahead, I will continue advocating for this legislation’s final passage in order to make this vital service more accessible and affordable.
Visitors
Discussed Highway 8 funding with Chisago County Commissioners George McMahon and Rick Greene.
Brett Ohnstad visited to discuss issues facing teamsters.
Thanks to local nurses for stopping by!
Contact Me
Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to contact me so far. As session continues, please feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts that you have on the issues that will be coming before me for votes on the House floor. I value the input I receive from constituents, as it helps me to best represent our communities.
Sincerely,
Anne