Dear Friends and Neighbors,
May is here and with it comes warmer weather, Mother’s Day, the approach of summer and the end of the legislative session. Happy Mother’s Day to every mom who is reading my update. May all the love that you have shown upon your sons and daughters come back to you abundantly not just on Mother’s Day, but every day of the year.
I love the following quote because it very simply communicates the loving and caring nature of moms.
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.
~ Tenneva Jordan
Thank you to everyone who took my 2016 Legislative Survey! I received almost 400 responses.
With just a couple weeks left in the legislative session, your input is invaluable as we go into final negotiations with the Senate. Some of the key takeaways I saw in the survey are that people in Chisago County overwhelmingly oppose the governor's proposal to increase the gas tax by a minimum 16 cents per gallon, and thought it would be better to utilize a portion of our surplus to go toward roads and bridges. Additionally, taxes and transportation were the top two priorities this session, and that reflects where I believe we should dedicate our $900 million surplus this session.
Here are the full results:
Governor Dayton proposed a new gas tax last year which would result in a minimum 16 cent increase in the price of gasoline. This tax increases as the wholesale price increases. Do you support making this change?
Yes 14.99%
No 77%
Undecided 8.01%
Should the legislature work with higher education institutions including the University of Minnesota to reduce student tuition?
No, tuition costs are not a problem 9.95%
Yes, we can accomplish this by increasing state funding to higher education 5.24%
Yes, we can accomplish this if public universities manage their resources more efficiently 60.73%
Yes, we can accomplish this by providing additional state funding and asking colleges to use their existing resources more efficiently 24.08%
In the most recent economic forecast, Minnesota has a $900 million surplus. What should the state do with that money? Check all that apply.
Invest in our roads and bridges 57.07%
Return that money to taxpayers through tax relief 48.43%
Increase government spending 13.09%
Pay down state debt 43.19%
What would you like to see as the top priority for the 2016 legislative session? Choose up to three.
Tax relief 57.62%
Education reform 17.31%
Increase education spending 14.47%
Invest in our roads and bridges 57.11%
MNsure reform 27.91%
Environment protections 16.28%
Streamline state government 51.94%
Other 14.73%
Do you support phasing out the income tax on social security and veteran pensions?
Yes 78.91%
No 9.11%
Undecided 11.98%
Last year, a 10-year, $7 billion transportation bill was introduced that invests in road and bridge improvements. The legislation uses revenue already collected by the state like the sales taxes on auto parts and car rental, and does not raise the gas tax. Do you support this proposal?
Yes 76.82%
No 11.46%
Undecided 11.72%
Do you support taxpayer funding going to Minnesota Planned Parenthood?
Yes 28.57%
No 61.82%
Undecided 9.61%
Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your family on a matter of state government, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bob