Dear Neighbor, After a delayed start to the legislative session, we are settling into the midst of the grind. Before getting into that I want to mention the unexpected passing of my friend and mentor Mike Betker. Mike worked as the Finance Director at the City of Isanti since 2017. As a new council member in 2019, I had a lot of questions and Mike was always willing to sit down to talk about numbers or anything else I had on my mind. He always said he would be glad to do that for any resident of the city, and he meant it! He was a good man, a patient teacher, and he was excellent at his job. Since 2017, the tax rate in the city has dropped 47.85 percent. That kind of change takes political will, sure, but it also takes someone with the knowledge and skill behind the scenes to get it done and Mike deserves all the credit. He will be missed dearly by his wife and two young sons, extended family and his coworkers. If you could keep them in your prayers, it would be appreciated. Projected state shortfall growing In my last email, I mentioned state officials recently issued an updated economic forecast. Let’s take a closer look. Top-line figures include: - $456 million projected balance for 2026-27, down $160 million from previous estimates.
- $6 billion general fund shortfall for 2028-29, $852 million worse than November estimates.
- State spending growth outpaces revenue growth through projections for 2029.
It is no surprise that state spending is outpacing state revenue. With full control of the Capitol, Democrats spent the $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and increased state spending by 40 percent with the budget they passed in 2023. It shows our state’s bottom line is suffering the consequences of reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases. The forecast information we received is very important because it provides the figures we will use to set a new two-year state budget this session. House Republicans are working toward a responsible, balanced budget. I urge Democrats to support savings and spending cuts – not even more tax increases – to get our state finances back in order for the long haul. Supporting women and children On the floor this week, House Republicans brought forward a pair of bills to support women and children: - The Supporting Women Act (HF 25) restores a grant from 2005 called Positive Alternatives, which Democrats took away in 2023. The bill appropriates $8 million per two years to women’s pregnancy centers and maternity homes.
- The Born Alive Rollback (HF 24) extends legal protections to infants who are born alive after an abortion procedure. This bill would require that doctors protect the lives of infants under these adverse circumstances in the same way that they protect infants born under normal conditions.
House Democrats defeated both bills on party-line votes, clinging to their extreme position that has made Minnesota’s abortion laws among the world’s most extreme. Until next time, please stay in touch and enjoy the weekend. Sincerely, Jimmy |