Dear Neighbors,
We’re now entering the phase of the legislative session where omnibus finance bills are hitting the House Floor. These bills represent comprehensive packages of legislation in each subject area of the state budget. Currently, we have a $1.65 billion budget surplus, and I think we can use some of this to improve opportunities for all Minnesotans, while keeping our state fiscally healthy.
Yesterday, we discussed the first two of these omnibus bills: the environment bill and the tax bill. Because of its sheer size, the Republican tax bill squeezes potential investments in many other areas of the state budget, including our schools and health care. Especially in times of budget surplus, we should renew our commitment to these areas that have made Minnesota such a quality place to live. Unfortunately, this Republican tax bill focuses too much attention on tax breaks for the very richest among us. That isn’t to say there aren’t some good pieces of it.
I’ve fought for a long time to reform the taxation of Social Security income in the state of Minnesota, and this bill does that. Seniors should be able to retire with economic security and this bill will allow Minnesotans with income less than a certain threshold to deduct this income from their state income taxes. Additionally, the bill increases Taconite Municipal Aid for many of our cities and townships on the Range. Here is a list of those increases, with the communities in the district I represent highlighted.
Overall though, the bill’s priorities are misplaced. It increases the amount to get off scot-free from paying a single cent in estate tax to a whopping $5.49 million. We would be much better off using the money this will cost to increase local government aid to keep property taxes low, or expanding other tools to help working families keep more of their money, like the Working Family Credit. The Republican tax bill contains funding for neither of these. Instead, it gives a tax breaks to about 1,100 heirs of rich people. As session goes on and negotiations between the House, Senate and Governor Dayton start, I hope we can shape this bill to be a more bipartisan reflection of our state’s priorities.
KATHERINE’S HOUSE BILL
I’ve recently had a pair of committee hearings about my bill to assist a mental health and chemical dependency facility in Eveleth. Katherine’s House exclusively serves women with supportive services in a unique residential setting. They provide equine therapy, gardening, and a connection to potential job opportunities. My bill would make them eligible for group residential housing (GRH) supplemental rate payments from St. Louis County.
Shelly Holmes (center) founded the program on her own and should be commended for taking the initiative to create a solution to a void in our community. We also got to hear the personal story of Cindy Brown (right), a former resident. At Katherine’s House, they’ve mentored women to be strong and independent and develop into positive role models. We should do what we can to encourage programs like these to be successful, and this bill does that.
I’m pleased that this provision was included in the Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill. With issues like this, we see the partisan divide disappear, and it’s a real honor to carry this legislation.
Please continue to contact me with your thoughts about the issues important to you. Especially as we enter this budget-heavy phase of the session, I’d love to hear from you. Please call me at the Capitol or e-mail me any time.
Sincerely,
Jason Metsa
State Representative