Dear Neighbors,
You are invited to a 2nd Amendment town hall meeting on March 18th in Osakis at the Osakis Community Center. The event is set to begin at 2:00 PM and I will be joined by local state representatives, senators, and Todd County Sheriff, Michael Allen. Please join us to discuss the series of anti-gun bills that are moving through the legislature and what you can do to defend your 2nd Amendment rights.
Updated Budget Forecast
Last week, we received an updated budget outlook from state economists that showed Minnesota’s budget surplus remains unchanged at $17.5 billion.
The bottom-line number remains the same from the December budget forecast with one key difference: This one was adjusted to factor for inflation for the first time in decades. This means that the surplus is likely closer to $20 billion if you were to remove inflation from the calculation.
A surplus this size continues to prove that you, your family, and every person in Minnesota is being severely overtaxed. That’s why we need to return this surplus back to you. More money in your family budget will help deal with the impacts of inflation.
I recently recorded a video where I discussed my plan that would return the state’s budget surplus back to Minnesotans through one-time direct payments. Click here to watch the video: https://bit.ly/3Jmt2GW
The large budget surplus is also why I was a firm “NO” vote on this week’s bonding bills. It makes no sense to borrow money and sign Minnesotans up for hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments for a public infrastructure bill when we have the cash to immediately pay for it.
Tax relief
My bill is aligned with a broader plan introduced by House Republicans to provide tax relief for Minnesotans. Our “Give It Back” tax plan, provides billions in immediate and long-term tax relief.
The package includes:
- Lowering first and second tier rates
- Full elimination of Social Security tax
- $1,800 tax credit per child
- Property tax relief
- $5 billion in rebates
With a $17.5 billion surplus, it’s way past time to provide the tax relief you all deserve. That’s why I support this proposal.
Staying in Touch
Thank you to folks from the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts that visited St. Paul this week. It was great to chat with you and discuss important issues that impact all of us back home in Todd, Wadena, Cass, and Morrison Counties.
As always, it is critical that you communicate to me any thoughts, questions, or concerns you may have. Please never hesitate to reach out to me whether it’s via phone or email. I can be reached at 651-296-4293 or via email at rep.mike.wiener@house.mn.gov. It would be an honor to speak with you.
Until next time, have a great weekend,
Mike