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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 31, 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

Our third committee deadline is today and there’s been a flurry of activity in committees and on the House floor this week. We’ve not only been busy with committee, and floor sessions, but lots of visitors advocating on the issues important to them. One of the groups that visited this week were members of AFSCME Council 5.

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Here’s an update from my week at the Capitol:

House Omnibus Bills

The House took up the Omnibus Tax and Environment bills yesterday and we’re taking up the Omnibus Education and Transportation bills today. Every two years the majority party usually groups each part of the state budget overseen by individual committees together and pass them as omnibus bills.

Tax Bill

Yesterday, the House took up the Omnibus Tax bill. Unfortunately, House Republicans are prioritizing big tax cuts for businesses and a few hundred rich dead people each year instead of most Minnesotans. Benefiting millionaires, the tax bill includes a $161.7 million estate tax cut for the wealthiest Minnesotans. The bill also includes property tax cuts for corporations and businesses instead of homeowners and renters. More than a billion dollars in tax cuts are paid for by taking $600 million from areas of the budget that fund nursing homes and short changing our schools.

Instead of this approach, my view is we should put Minnesotans first with targeted tax cuts that make taxes fairer for everyone in order to improve economic opportunities in every corner of the state.

Environment Bill

Despite a budget surplus, The Omnibus Environment bill cuts millions from funding that protects Minnesota’s air, water and outdoor spaces. Minnesota is lucky to have abundant natural resources, but we can’t take them for granted. Instead, we should be investing to maintain our environmental resources for the next generation of Minnesotans.

Transportation Bill

Right now the House is to taking up the Omnibus Transportation bill. The proposal fails to invest in Minnesota’s transportation needs now and into the future, inadequately addressing the need for long-term investment in roads and bridges. It also creates road blocks to fully funding light rail and bus lines. The bill pits the Metro against Greater Minnesota, failing to take a “One Minnesota” approach to invest in transportation statewide. Neglecting Minnesota’s transportation needs is unsafe and will cost Minnesotans more money in the long run. That’s why I’m advocating for a long-term, sustainable solution that improves Minnesota’s roads, bridges and transit.

Education Bill

The Omnibus Education bill is also expected later on the Floor today. The education bill would underfund our schools likely amounting to cuts that could result in teacher layoffs, larger class sizes and fewer resources for our kids. The bill also eliminates the voluntary pre-K program and phases out its funding, hurting Minnesota’s youngest learners.

I believe our top priority should be providing a quality education for all Minnesota kids, but unfortunately, this bill will make it harder for them to succeed. Education has made Minnesota a leader, but we won’t continue to lead with cuts to our kids’ futures.

 

Sincerely,

Sheldon
 

P.S.: Please don’t hesitate to forward this email to your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my e-updates.