Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, We are now three weeks into the Republican majority, and things are moving full speed ahead at the Capitol! The energy is high, the work is nonstop, and we’re making real progress on key priorities that matter to you. From committee hearings to conversations with colleagues and community leaders, every day has been packed with opportunities to push forward policies that support hardworking Minnesotans. I’m excited to share some important updates, highlights, and insights from the Capitol—let’s dive in! House File 5 Movement I'm thrilled to share that House File 5 had its first hearing on Wednesday afternoon and is now making its way through the Taxes Committee! This bill is all about delivering real tax relief and making smart adjustments to our state's tax policies to better serve Minnesotans. Key Provisions of House File 5:- Eliminating the State Tax on Social Security Benefits – Retirees have worked hard for their money, and this bill ensures they get to keep more of it by fully exempting Social Security benefits from state income tax.
- Repealing the 50-Cent Retail Delivery Tax – This unnecessary tax on transactions over $100 adds up fast, especially for small businesses that depend on affordable delivery services. House File 5 seeks to get rid of it.
- Stopping Automatic Gas Tax Hikes – Nobody likes surprise increases at the pump. This bill would put an end to automatic motor fuels tax indexing, keeping costs stable for Minnesota drivers.
- Adjusting Transportation-Related Tax Allocations – By shifting certain transportation-related state and regional sales taxes, we can better support infrastructure and public services without unnecessary burdens.
- Reviewing the Vehicle Registration Tax – The bill directs the Department of Public Safety to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Minnesota’s motor vehicle registration tax—comparing it to neighboring states and ensuring it’s fair for all.
These changes are designed to provide relief to taxpayers, support small businesses, and make Minnesota’s tax system fairer and more efficient. As House File 5 moves forward, I’ll keep you updated on its progress. What Minnesotans WantWhen we look at the KSTP SurveyUSA News Poll, the numbers speak for themselves: - 69% of Minnesotans support eliminating the state tax on Social Security benefits, including 62% of Democrats.
- 67% of people believe the legislature should fix the fuel tax inflator, with 63% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans in agreement.
These numbers confirm what I hear from people every day—Minnesotans want commonsense tax relief, and House File 5 delivers on that. I’ll continue listening to the people of Minnesota and pushing for policies that reflect their priorities. Stay tuned for more updates! Riley Gaines is Coming to Minnesota—Let’s Rally for Girls’ Sports! Mark your calendars and get ready to cheer because Riley Gaines is headed to Minnesota! The 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and fierce advocate for girls’ sports is teaming up with House Speaker Lisa Demuth and other advocates of fairness in female athletics for an exciting day on March 3. The action kicks off at 11:00 AM on the MN Capitol Mall with a high-energy rally where supporters will stand together for fairness in girls’ sports. Then, at 1:00 PM, Riley will dive into a powerful livestreamed roundtable discussion at Providence Academy, tackling why protecting fair competition matters. The momentum keeps building as the House votes on House File 12 at 3:30 PM—a major moment for this movement! Joining Riley are Rep. Peggy Scott, Sen. Julia Coleman, former Minnesota Viking Jack Brewer, and attorney Ryan Wilson, all lending their voices to this crucial cause. This isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of dedication, fairness, and the future of female athletics. So grab a friend, bring your energy, and let’s make some noise for fairness in sports! HF 11: Supporting the One-Year Delay of Minnesota's Paid Leave ProgramIn the hustle and bustle of legislative sessions, sometimes it's wise to take a moment to ensure we're on the right track. That's exactly what House File 11 proposes—a thoughtful one-year delay in implementing Minnesota's Paid Leave Law. This pause isn't about putting the brakes on progress; it's about giving our state agencies and businesses the necessary time to prepare effectively for this significant change. By adjusting all dates in the law forward by one year, HF 11 aims to provide a smoother transition for everyone involved. This extra time allows for comprehensive planning, ensuring that when the program does roll out, it's efficient, effective, and beneficial for all Minnesotans. Embracing change is important, but so is ensuring we're fully prepared to make that change successful. Supporting HF 11 means advocating for a balanced approach that considers the needs of our workforce and the practicalities of implementation. Let's take this sensible pause to get things right, setting the stage for a paid leave program that truly works for Minnesota. Catching Up with Becker County I had a great time meeting with the Becker County Commissioners alongside my colleague Rep. Knudsen this week! It was especially fun to chat with Phil Hansen—a familiar face and valued community leader. We had productive conversations about the county’s priorities, from supporting local businesses to improving infrastructure and public services. I’m grateful for the commissioners’ hard work and dedication to their communities, and I’m excited to keep working together to make a positive impact in Becker County! Building strong relationships between state and local leaders is so important, and meetings like this help ensure we’re all on the same page when it comes to tackling the issues that matter most. Whether it’s finding ways to keep communities safe, lowering costs for families, or investing in local projects, I appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from those working on the front lines of county government.  I also had a great conversation with the Clay County Commissioners, discussing the important issues facing their communities. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to make the trip down to the Capitol—dedication to serving your county is truly appreciated!  Stay Connected!As always, I’m here to serve you and make sure your voice is heard loud and clear at the Capitol. If you ever have questions, concerns, or just want to chat about what’s happening in St. Paul, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can call my office at 651-296-6829 or send me an email at rep.jim.joy@house.mn.gov—I’d love to hear from you. Stay connected and follow along for updates on Facebook here! Wishing you a fantastic weekend!  Representative Jim Joy Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4B |