Historic tax relief, transportation funding increase are signature accomplishments of 2017
ST. PAUL – Rep. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, is lauding $650 million in tax relief and over $300 million more transportation funding during the next two years alone as the top accomplishments of the 2017 Legislature, which completed its budget work and adjourned early Friday.
“This session will is undoubtedly one of the most productive in recent history with $650 million in tax relief and $300 million more for transportation over the next two years alone – without raising taxes,” Howe said. “Reducing the tax on seniors’ Social Security income is a huge victory. Directing tax dollars already collected on the purchases of auto parts toward roads and bridges is another major win, one that I am proud to have personally led.”
The Minnesota House and Senate concluded a brief special session by passing the final bills that comprise the state’s 2018-19 budget. In all, the Legislature passed seven bills during the special session: taxes, transportation, state government, health and human services, K-12 education, capital investment and labor standards.
The Republican-led tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief – the largest tax cut in nearly two decades – for Minnesota families in the 2018-19 biennium and roughly $750 million in tax relief in 2020-21. It not only includes relief for seniors on Social Security, but also for college graduates with student loan debt, and provides property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses.
In addition, Republicans championed and the Legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history, billions more for transportation over the next 10 years without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees.
“The final budget is the result of compromise between the Legislature and the governor,” Howe said. “That said, tax relief and funding for roads and bridges were two of the House’s top priorities this year and the results we achieved in those areas are good for Minnesotans. We all wish we could have gotten just a little more on both tax relief and transportation but, again, it took a great deal of negotiations and effort to achieve the success we did.”
In all, the Legislature sent 10 budget bills, a $995 million bonding bill and a labor standards bill to the governor for his signature.
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