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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
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E-Update
SESSION UPDATE
Dear Friends,
Back in mid-December, Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers issued the 2012 legislative schedule, outlining deadlines, breaks, and an April 30th adjournment date. Despite repeated boasts of finishing their businesses by April 30, Republicans failed to meet their self-imposed deadline.
Going into this session, jobs and securing a more stable economy for Minnesota have been my top priorities. The majority said they had these same priorities, yet have failed to make good on their word.
Instead of focusing on jobs this session, the majority again focused on divisive constitutional amendments and an agenda tilted toward corporate special interests. They continue to insist on “budget-busting" tax bill that cuts property taxes for big businesses and corporations. Due to the use of one-time funds and budgeting gimmicks to balance last year’s budget, we face a $3.5 billion deficit next budget cycle. Enacting this property tax elimination for business would tack on an addition $145 million to that deficit – and billions more in the future.
Unfortunately, corporations are the winners in the Republican tax bill, not middle class Minnesotans. With the elimination of the Market Value Homestead Credit by Republicans last year, homeowners saw a property tax increase of $71 million, yet their bill only provides $4 million in relief for homeowners this year. And even though farmers saw the steepest spike in property taxes, the Republican tax bill offers no tax relief for farmers.
The Vikings stadium is another unresolved issue at the State Capitol. So far neither the House nor Senate has taken an up-or-down vote on the Vikings stadium proposal.
Thus far, the GOP’s crowning achievement is putting yet another divisive constitutional amendment on the ballot. Along with the anti-marriage amendment from last year, Republicans added a Voter ID amendment to the ballot this year, capable of fencing out hundreds of law-abiding citizens, while threatening absentee balloting and same-day registration.
Perhaps in a last ditch effort to accomplish something more than passage of a constitutional amendment, Republicans have abandoned their word on adjourning April 30. After speaking with you and many in our community, it’s clear: Minnesotans expect us to get our work done in a timely and responsible manner.
Now that we have failed to reach this deadline, I’d hope we could use this time to deliver some results on the issues that matter to Minnesotans. Republicans had nearly 100 days to complete their work. Unfortunately, they chose to prioritize divisive issues that pandered to their base, instead of the bread and butter issues Minnesotans care about.
I will continue to advocate for legislation that creates jobs and strengthens the middle class.
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