Dear Neighbor,
In my last newsletter, I mentioned that Democrats in St. Paul (both legislative majorities and the governor) reached an agreement to increase the state budget by 40 percent in the next two-year cycle, spending the entire $17.5 billion surplus and raising taxes along the way.
As a quick aside to state spending, employees represent the largest expense for government and Minnesota already is the state’s third-largest employer. The governor proposes adding 2,349 full-time employees to the 29,841 already on the rolls, per this report.
We are starting to get a closer look at each section of the proposed state budget as omnibus finance bills are assembled and reviewed in House committees. Here’s a look at a some of that information and more from the House this week:
Transportation tax increases
Despite a $17.5 billion state surplus, the House Democrat transportation bill raises taxes and fees by at least $4 billion – $1.71 billion in 2024-25, and by more than $2.2 billion in 2026-27. Here is a sampling of what they propose:
- License tab fee increases
- $10 surcharge on license tabs
- Motor vehicle sales tax increase
- ¾-cent metro area sales tax increase (for transit)
- 75-CENT “DELIVERY TAX” (everything from Amazon packages to pizza delivery)
None of these fit the Democrats’ “tax the rich” narrative because virtually all of us will suffer these increases.
SAFER Act
House Democrats have buried gun-control bills deep within an omnibus package that also provides funding for law enforcement. In particular, language from H.F. 14 (universal gun registration and H.F. 15 (red flag confiscation orders) are included in the majority’s 312-page public safety omnibus bill.
Nearly 80 county sheriffs in Minnesota have signed letters objecting to these proposals. If House Democrats disagree with the sheriffs and really think these are bills Minnesotans support, then why not bring them forward for votes as stand-alone bills? If they’re really good bills, wouldn’t they want their day in the sun?
Aside from Second Amendment concerns I have with these gun-control bills, we also should point out they fail to get to the heart of the matter on this issue: mental health.
I am proud to be among top authors on a package of four bills that actually does focus on core issues and the mental health of human beings. For example, one bill Increases mental health and drug treatment centers, particularly in Greater Minnesota. Right now, if someone is civilly committed as a dangerous person, the only facilities that will take them are St. Peter and Anoka. It would be beneficial to add more bed space statewide.
The bills are H.F. 3133, 3134, 3135, and 3136 Together, they are called the SAFER Act:
- Supporting Law Enforcement
- Accountability Resources for County Attorneys
- Facilities for Mental Health Care
- Education for Responsible Gun Ownership and Respect for Life
- Responsibility
These provisions would help us finally take serious mental-health issues that sometimes manifest tragedy. It is an approach worthy of strong, bipartisan support.
I’ll be back with more from the Capitol soon. Until then, have a great weekend and let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Ben