ST.PAUL – The Legislature adjourned Monday with priorities such as converting a massive state surplus to historic tax relief and improving public safety at a time violent crime is soaring unresolved.
State Rep. Shane Mekeland, R-Clear Lake, said House Democrats’ insistence on increasing government spending by billions of dollars derailed down tax relief. Senate Republicans proposed more than $8 billion in tax relief, while House Democrats were looking to spend $21 for every $1 in tax cuts.
“Major tax relief should have been a given this session,” Mekeland said. “Unfortunately, House Democrats’ insistence on increasing government spending by billions of dollars stopped that from happening. The majority was pushing to increase government spending by 15 percent or more compared with the last budget, even though this is not a budget year, and our state already is fully funded for the biennium.
“Permanent, meaningful tax relief will remain a top priority of mine as we prepare for the 2023 session,” Mekeland said. “It starts with eliminating state taxes on Social Security to end Minnesota’s status as one of the last states to still tax these dollars.”
Mekeland also said House Democrats refused to fund law enforcement and blocked increased penalties for criminals – including a bill that would crack down on fentanyl as our country deals with record-setting overdose deaths driven by this deadly drug.
“Extremists in the Legislature refused to fund law enforcement and blocked increased penalties for criminals – including denying a bill that would crack down on fentanyl as our country deals with record-setting overdose deaths driven by this deadly drug,” Mekeland said. “It’s past time to stand up to the ‘defund the police’ wing of their party that insists on funding unproven and unaccountable non-profit groups instead of putting more money into our local police departments.”
-30-