Dear Neighbor,
Greetings from St. Paul, where most of this year’s budget bills remain works in progress as we approach the last week of the 2023 session with adjournment set for May 22. Here is a look at where things stand but, first a few other notes of interest:
Mother's Day
Happy Mother’s Day to moms in our district. Thank you for all you do each and every day as the backbones of our families. I hope you are able to spend extra time in the company of loved ones this special holiday.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Please join me in saluting teachers in our district as this Teacher Appreciation Week, as we recognize their dedication to educating and preparing our children for a lifetime of success. Thanks for all you do.
Fishing opener
Minnesota’s fishing opener is this weekend, something many people in our state look forward to for many reasons. Good luck if you plan to get out on the water and, on a side note: The omnibus environment package House Democrats approved in April raises fees for fishing, boating and visiting state parks. Those increases could be in place by next year, pending the outcome of those provisions as the bill is put in final form.
Final week
The overall budget House Democrats propose would raise state spending by 40 percent, with nearly $10 billion in proposed tax increases despite the record $17.5 billion budget surplus. This includes the House Democrats’ widely unpopular delivery taxes, along with billions in sales tax increases, payroll taxes, fee increases, and unnecessary tax and fee increases that take money out of the pockets of Minnesota families.
As the details are sorted out in this session’s major budget bills, the House this week provided final approval for some of the state budget’s smaller components, including overwhelming support for a veterans and military affairs finance package (H.F. 1937).
This bill funds Minnesota’s National Guard members and veterans after their service to our state and nation concludes – with appropriations for the state’s next two-year budget cycle. The final version provides $383 million in total General Fund spending for programs to help veterans over the 2024-25 biennium – a $128 million increase from current levels. In total funding, this includes $94.5 million for the Dept. of Military Affairs and $288.5 million for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The bill also delivers operational funding for three new veterans homes, including ones constructed in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.
House Republicans successfully added numerous provisions to the bill that were retained by the conference committee for the final bill. This includes expanding the Veteran Bonus program to veterans who currently live in Minnesota, even though they may not have lived in the state when they enlisted, as well as veterans who served in the Inherent Resolve Military campaign. Additional funding for veteran bonuses also is included in the package. The bill also increases the Veterans GI Bill tuition benefit from $3,000 to $5,000 per year, and ups the lifetime benefit from $10,000 to $15,000.
It was good to see bipartisanship in this bill, and strong support for our veterans, as it passed 131-0.
Look for more from the Capitol soon, especially with such a big week ahead of us. Let’s pray the results of this session benefit all Minnesotans, instead of an extreme partisan agenda fueling division in our state.
Sincerely,
Ben