Dear Neighbors,
Congratulations to all of our seniors graduating from Maple Grove and Osseo High School! We’re so proud of the young adults that our high schools produce, and commend these students on their achievement; great work!
It's the second week since the legislative session has ended and there are some open issues with three important bills, a summary is below:
- Bill Status Update
- Assisting Veterans
- Please Contact Me
Bill Status Update
Because of a last-second, politically motivated amendment by the Senate, the bonding and transportation bill the House passed on Sunday died on the Senate floor. In order to pass this bill, we’ll need the governor to request a special session. Unfortunately, the governor is using our $800 million tax relief bill – which passed the House on a 123-10 vote – in negotiations for a special session.
His demand is to clarify language in the bill and include a provision to assist the Minnesota State High School League. House leaders have already agreed, in writing, to both measures, but the governor still hasn’t signed the bill. He previously stated he’d consider the tax bill, supplemental budget bill, and transportation/bonding bill on their own merits, but now lumps two of them together. With the House agreeing to make the one-word technical change, and add language for the High School League, it seems we’ve agreed to Governor Dayton’s demands, and he should sign this middle-class tax relief legislation into law.
If he doesn’t act on the bill by Monday, it will automatically veto. With such wide bipartisan support and agreement to meet his two demands, there shouldn’t be anything standing in the way of giving middle-class families some overdue tax relief.
Assisting Veterans
One provision that was signed into law as part of the supplemental budget bill goes to help our retired service men and women. The language exempts military retirement pay from state income taxes, allowing around 18,000 retired veterans to keep more of the benefits they earned while serving our country. Each of us knows someone who has spent time in our military, and we need to do our part in making sure that sacrifice doesn’t go unrecognized.
The need to help veterans and our families really hit home as I attended the Osseo Maple Grove American Legion Memorial Day service on Monday. The sacrifices of our men and women in uniform can’t be put into words, and I’m forever grateful for their service, and for those who have given their last full measure of devotion for our freedom and liberty.
Please Contact Me
Although we’re out of session, I’m still interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions. Please continue to contact me via email or call me – your feedback is important. It is my privilege to represent our community at the Capitol. I can be reached via email at Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, by phone at 651-296-5502, and US mail address: 13570 Grove Drive, #370, Maple Grove, MN, 55311.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis
P.S. Please encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates here.