Dear Neighbors,
It’s been another busy week in Saint Paul. Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Budget Forecast
On Tuesday, Minnesota Management and Budget released the February economic forecast which state lawmakers will use to craft a budget for Fiscal Years 2018-19. The state’s surplus for the upcoming biennium is $1.65 billion, up from $1.4 billion in November. This budget forecast marks the eighth straight forecast with a positive balance for the state of Minnesota.
What this growing surplus shows is that the state collected too much from hardworking taxpayers across our state. We will be looking to reduce the tax burden of folks, passing a comprehensive tax bill that gives money back to Minnesota families, Main Street businesses, farmers and seniors.
Budget targets are expected to be released in the coming weeks, and I expect that with this surplus, House Republicans will advance budget bills that limit government growth, invest in our shared priorities like education and transportation, and provide meaningful tax relief.
Making Government More Efficient and Effective
This week in the Environment Committee, we heard three of my bills that will help make government more efficient.
The first bill, House File 1291, will increase permitting efficiency. This legislation is important to ensure projects can move forward, streamlining the DNR and MPCA permitting processes, expediting the permitting cost estimate process, and prohibiting permits from being terminated in the event of a government shutdown. It also prevents the enforcement of unadopted rules, stopping agencies form attaching conditions to permits which have no basis in law. Additionally, the bill eliminates the Environment Quality Board, reassigning many of its duties to existing agencies and councils.
Next, House File 771 will help expedite the process for demolition landfill permitting. Currently, in many counties there is a tremendous backlog of permitting requests which is a source of great frustration for rural Minnesota. I have been working with Roseau County and a landfill owner in Pennington County on this legislation. I want to ensure we do this right and keep landfills accessible in rural areas. If we don’t, there is a greater risk of illegal dumping. Additionally, like in House File 1291, this bill will expedite the permitting process and limit agencies from enforcing unadopted rules.
Finally, House File 1292 also advanced in committee. This bill makes technical changes in logging industry and timber sales in Minnesota.
These changes are commonsense, will continue to ensure that we protect our environment, and make it easier to do business in Minnesota.
Uniform Labor Standards Bill
On Thursday, the House passed House File 600 which makes private employer employment regulations uniform across the state, avoiding a patchwork of ordinances on wages and benefits that make it difficult for many businesses to operate and conduct commerce from community to community.
With a low unemployment rate and a growing demand by employees for comprehensive benefit packages, I believe local business owners and employees can determine what wage and benefit set works best for them. This legislation encourages commerce and job growth in our state by streamlining workplace regulations.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
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