Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
In this Issue:
- House Republican Budget Targets
- Tax Relief
- Transportation
- Community Events
- Peppin’s MinnTriv
House Republican Budget Targets
On Monday, House Republicans unveiled their overall state budget targets. Our budget proposal spends $44.9 billion for the next two years, in comparison to Governor Dayton, who proposes to spend a billion dollars more at $45.9 billion. Our “Minnesota Way,” budget puts families first, respects taxpayers and invests in necessary priorities.
From this overall $44.9 number, each appropriation committee (education, health & human services, transportation, state government, environment, etc.) is then provided a budget number which they must use to fund the various priorities within their committee’s jurisdiction.
Highlights in our budget include $1.35 billion in substantial, middle-class tax relief, $450 million in new funding for road and bridge infrastructure and $1.1 billion in new funding for K-12 schools compared to last biennium. Additionally, our proposal works to limit state government spending, and is lower than the two proposals put forward by Governor Dayton and the Senate.
The overall budget framework is now in place, but much more work remains. I will keep you updated with more specific information in the weeks ahead.
Tax Relief
Speaking to the press about our plan to provide Minnesotans with meaningful, middle-class tax relief
On Wednesday, the House Tax Committee unveiled its omnibus tax bill which, as mentioned in our budget targets, will reduce taxes by more than $1.35 billion over the next two years.
One key component of the bill is $270 million to reduce the state tax on social security income which will help seniors who live on a fixed income. Additionally, for middle-class families, there are modifications to the child and dependent care credit, expanded subtractions and credits for families saving for college with 529 Savings Plans, and a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments. For local businesses, we are exempting the first $200,000 in property value from the extra state property tax on businesses and freezing its automatic inflator, empowering them to expand and hire more employees.
Overall, our plan is about providing long overdue tax relief for families, small businesses, farmers, seniors and college graduates in our state. I am pleased we are advancing a comprehensive, middle-class tax bill that puts more money back in the pockets of hardworking taxpayers.
Transportation
Another omnibus bill that was released earlier this week was the Minnesota Road & Bridge Act. This transportation bill makes significant new investments in road and bridge infrastructure throughout our state without raising taxes. In total, our plan will invest $6 billion in transportation infrastructure over the next decade.
First, the bill provides $450 million in new funding for transportation by redirecting existing transportation-related funding streams into a Transportation Priorities Fund. These existing revenue streams include taxes on auto parts, repairs, and rentals, as well as the Motor Vehicle Lease Sales Tax. This provides sustainable and dedicated funding for roads and bridges.
Additionally, our plan also continues a popular program we started last year that puts $12.5 million a year toward local projects in cities with fewer than 5,000 residents and invests in key highway infrastructure with $300 million in one-time “Corridors of Commerce” funding. The Corridors of Commerce program has helped fund major improvements on Highway 610 and 494 in the northwest suburbs.
Finally, the Minnesota Road & Bridge Act reforms light rail funding, requiring counties or the County Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) to fund all operating and future capital costs for light rail. To improve transit in the metro, we also fund a pilot program for suburb-to-suburb bus transit and redirect additional Motor Vehicle Sales Tax funding from the Met Council to Suburban Transit.
Community Events – Fish Tonight, Spaghetti Tomorrow!
The Mary Queen of Peace Knights of Columbus are hosting a fish fry dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. TONIGHT in the church basement located at 21304 Church Avenue in Rogers. Menu includes fish (baked or deep fried) macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls, cookies and beverage. Price is $11 for adults, $6 for ages 5-12 and $2 for kids 4 and under.
Tomorrow night is the “B.I.G.” fundraising dinner for three Rogers High School students seriously injured in a January bus accident. From 5-8 p.m. the Rogers, Otsego and Dayton Lions, along with the Rogers Rotary and Rogers DECA Clubs will be serving a “B.I.G.” Royal Family pasta dinner. Proceeds will help pay for medical expenses incurred by Beckett Olson, Ian Orina and Gretta Jensen. In addition to the pasta dinner, there will be live entertainment and a silent auction. The benefit will be held at Rogers High School, 21000, 141st Ave. in Rogers.
Peppin’s MinnTriv
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: Last week we mentioned that Rogers was the fastest growing city in Minnesota between 2010 and 2015, but what was the fastest growing county? The answer was Carver County which expanded by 8.5 percent. Scott County was a close second at 8.4 percent.
There were no correct guesses last week.
Here is this week’s question: What Minnesota company is responsible for making one of the Super Bowl’s most important player prizes?
Respond to this email with your answer, and you could be featured in next week’s email update!
***
In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A