Dear Neighbor,
With a train of extreme, divisive, and generally problematic bills barreling through the House, it was good to take at least one positive step this week with approval of a bill we all can get behind.
On Monday, the House provided 132-0 approval of a bill allowing state taxpayers to take advantage of numerous tax provisions already approved at the federal level. This bill will significantly help industries that were hardest hit from governor-mandated pandemic shutdowns – especially restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment operations.
This is one of those common-sense bills we just needed to take care of because it’s the right thing to do for Minnesotans. It will make things easier during filing season and I’m happy we acted early in the session.
There is a whole lot more we need to be looking at in terms of taxes in light of the state’s $18 billion surplus and I look forward to discussing meaningful relief for Minnesota taxpayers.
At least seven federal bills have been passed into law since Minnesota last enacted legislation to match congressional changes. Tax year 2023 marks five years since our state tax code has been conformed, which is the longest the state has been out of conformity in decades. Under the bill, taxpayers have until Dec. 31 to file an amended return.
The Senate also approved the bill and the governor enacted it yesterday.
With the 2023 legislative session underway, I have resumed submitting legislative columns to area newspapers. One I submitted this week touches on how our work this session is taking place with a state surplus of around $18 billion and an escalated rate of violent crime in Minnesota as the backdrop.
With that in mind, our top priorities for the new session should be providing tax relief to help families struggling with inflation, improving public safety, fighting waste and fraud in our public programs, and helping students catch up from learning loss they suffered the last couple of years.
The House majority said they supported these items last fall. They said they supported eliminating the state tax on social security and supported investments in public safety.
Now, it’s time to walk the walk. It will be a productive session if we can come together on those issues, and I stand ready to work with my friends across the aisle to make it happen.
Unfortunately, the first bills House Democrats introduced this session reflect a different set of priorities, from extreme abortion legislation to driver’s licenses for all, felon voting, energy policies that would make power less reliable and more costly … the list goes on and on and on.
Please check area publications for this column to appear in coming days, or you also can see it at this link.
Look for more from the House soon. Until next time, have a good weekend and please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Shane