Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

Back to profile

Legislative Update (5-6-16)

Friday, May 6, 2016

Dear Neighbors,

This week the Senate released its bonding proposal. In total, their proposal would add an additional $1.5 billion of debt to Minnesota’s hard working tax payers who are already on the hook for $1.5 billion every biennium to make payments on existing debt from past bonding bills. Only government could consider this wise, it’s easy to spend someone else’s money.

To complicate matters, seven DFLers in the Senate sent a letter to leadership threatening to hold the bonding bill hostage unless funding for a controversial light rail train project in Minneapolis was included. Any such funding has zero chance of passing the House, which puts a monkey wrench in negotiations on a final agreement on tax relief and a roads and bridges deal.

What does this mean for Minnesotans if the DFL and Governor Dayton insist on funding for this controversial train project?

  • No comprehensive transportation bill (no new money for roads and bridges)
  • No Social Security income tax relief for senior citizens
  • No income tax relief on veteran’s benefits
  • No relief for small town businesses

It is important to remember that Minnesota government was fully funded last year for the entirety of the biennium. If these bills do not become law, nothing stops. The government will not “shut down”. However, the reforms and initiatives proposed by the Republicans would bring much needed relief to many areas of greater Minnesota.  Given this, I remain committed to these reforms and will continue to work to see them passed and signed into law.

If you ever have questions or concerns regarding this or any other matter that is being discussed here in St. Paul or back home, I encourage you to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-9918 or via email at rep.steve.green@house.mn.

It would be great to speak with you and discuss your ideas and concerns.

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend,

Steve