Dear Neighbors,
At the House we have been working night and day to craft our various budget bills. While there is still a lot of session left this puts us in the final stretch! I’ll be sure to update you when we pass our budgets off of the floor and how they’ll impact you.
Here is an update from the Capitol:
Session Status
The legislature is just wrapping up “Third Deadline Week”, which means that all of the budget bills for this year’s session must be passed out of their respective finance committees in both Chambers. We now get a one-week spring break before returning for conference committee negotiations between the House and Senate.
Almost all of the bills that have an expense attached to them will be included in these budget bills and, so far, it looks like about ten of my bills, including three of my Health Care Pricing Transparency bills, three of my Transportation bills, and my bill banning non-compete agreements will be included in a budget bill that is going to conference.
Our Senator, Dr Alice Mann, is my Senate partner on three of these bills and she has done an amazing job of shepherding them through the Senate committee process and into their Senate budget bills.
Why We Should Increase the Gas Tax
The Transportation Budget bill passed the House Transportation Committee. As I discussed in my Star Tribune Op Ed on Thursday, the bill will include novel “revenue raisers” such as a package delivery fee, a restructuring of vehicle registration tab fees, an increase in the sales tax on new cars and a new general sales tax to support transit. Basically, everything that we could think of to raise money to support transportation infrastructure and services – except the most logical step, an increase to the state gas tax.
The state constitution walls off our roadway system from the state general fund budget and calls for it to be funded from a separate highway user tax trust fund using dedicated user fees like gas taxes and vehicle registration taxes. When those taxes don’t keep up with inflation, the result is potholes and rising property taxes, as cities and counties backfill for a reduced flow of revenues from the trust fund.
This is all explained in my article. By the time we take on our next transportation budget bill in two years, I think attitudes are going to have changed. A nickel increase in the state gas tax would only cost the typical driver about $2 a month.
Gun Violence Protection Bills Advance
Last Wednesday, the House Criminal Justice committee advanced our Universal Background Checks and Red Flag bills to help check gun violence. Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was in town to cheer us on and I had an opportunity to speak with her and thank her for coming to Minnesota to advance the cause.
Veterans Day on the Hill
Last Thursday was Veterans Day on the Hill and my Bloomington Colleague, Nathan Coulter, and I were able to participate in the veterans rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Nate and I both serve on the House Veterans Committee this session, and we passed the Veterans & Military Affairs Budget bill earlier this week providing additional funding to build veterans homes around the state and provide upgrades to our National Guard facilities.
Tim Engstrom, the Director of Communications for the American Legion of Minnesota is a Bloomington resident and constituent. He has been my guide into the world of veterans affairs in my first year as Vice-Chair of this committee.
Early Childhood in Bloomington
Nate and I were also visited by the Early Childhood Advisory Council of the Bloomington Public Schools. Nate serves on the Education Committee and is becoming an expert on these topics!
Therapy Dogs
Bloomington-based Northstar Therapy Animals brought in some of their trained therapy dogs for a petting session. It was a very popular event with my colleagues!
Trans Refuge Bill
We recently passed the Trans Refuge bill. The legislation prevents out-of-state laws from interfering in the practice of gender-affirming health care in Minnesota. To be clear, in Minnesota, gender-affirming care means emotional support and counseling for children experiencing “gender dysphoria”; may include puberty blockers that temporarily delay the onset of puberty to give young adolescents more time to weigh to consequences of their gender identity decisions, such as whether or not to take hormones.
With attacks against the trans community on the rise across the country it’s critical that we guarantee the health and wellbeing of our trans neighbors and loved ones. I’m proud to have voted for this legislation and will continue to stand up for our queer community.
Happy Passover, Easter
The Legislature is in our spring break and before we take a bit of a break I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Passover and Easter! May this special time bring joy, peace, and blessings to you and your loved ones. Let us celebrate the season with hope, renewal, and a sense of unity. May we all be surrounded by love, laughter, and the company of those who matter most. Enjoy the festivities and have a wonderful holiday!
Ramadan
Last Monday marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for our Muslim neighbors and we celebrated the breaking of the fast with an Iftar dinner in the “Retiring Room” behind the House Chamber. We were joined by Governor Walz and representatives of the Minnesota Islamic community.
Keep in Touch
Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance. Please follow me on my Facebook page for further updates and invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 50B
Minnesota House of Representatives