Dear Neighbor,
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned Monday, wrapping up a two-year cycle that was marked by reckless spending, needless tax increases, extreme policies and broken promises with one party in full control of the Capitol.
Here is a rundown of what happened during the last two years in St. Paul:
Taxing/spending
With the record $18 billion surplus last year, Minnesotans deserved meaningful tax cuts at a time when in?ation and rising costs of living have family budgets stretched thin. Instead, Democrats went on a spending spree, increasing the budget by 40% – the largest budget increase in Minnesota history – and raising taxes by $10 billion in the process. When the 2024 session began, they were right back at it, raising the cost of a new worker leave program by half a billion dollars before it even begins, and other unpopular and unnecessary tax and fee increases on Minnesotans.
Along the way, Minnesota taxpayers officially were put on the hook for a $730 million State Office Building remodel despite Republicans proposing more reasonably priced alternatives.
Balance needed
It has been proven one-party control is bad for Minnesotans. The final night of session was absolutely chaotic as the majority passed a 2,860-page bill without the language even being available to House members before a vote took place. The last two years is marked by them abusing the legislative process and putting power and partisan politics above all else to push a radical agenda on Minnesotans.
Fixing problems
Republicans successfully worked this session to resolve numerous problems created with laws enacted in 2023. Most notably, this includes a fix to the tax bill, getting school resource officers back in all the buildings they had been serving, and correcting a net-operating loss issue.
Nursing homes and ambulances
Legislation Republicans championed to provide an additional $30 million for Emergency Ambulance Service Aid also received legislative approval late this session. This is on top of the additional $300 million Republicans successfully negotiated in 2023.
While there were some bumps along the way with each of these bipartisan successes, in the end they all serve as examples of good work that can be accomplished when partisanship is set aside and we focus on doing what’s right for Minnesotans. Again, we need more balance at the Capitol to bring more of these positive results.
Controversial bills
Several highly controversial, partisan policy measures were enacted under one-party control the last two years. This includes adopting some of the world’s most extreme abortion policy, enacting a state-funded speech registry that could undermine First Amendment rights, bills that erode our Second Amendment rights, and declaring Minnesota a sanctuary state for transgender healthcare – for children. In addition, a Democrat provision ended electronic pull tabs as we knew them, dealing a major blow to local charitable organizations.
Religious freedom victory
Religious freedom was another high-profile issue this session after religious protections against discrimination claims that had been in our state for decades were eliminated. A variation of Republican legislation was enacted into law this session re-establishing protections for religious entities.
Broken promises
The majority broke a number of promises they made to Minnesotans this biennium. In particular, this includes voting against bills that would provide added resources to law enforcement officers, not delivering full Social Security tax relief, and failing to provide $2,000 rebate checks. All this, while they were spending the $18 billion surplus, increasing the state budget by 40% percent, raising taxes by $10 billion ... and building a new $730 million state office building.
Until next time, thanks so much for the continued support and hope you have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Lisa