Rep. Jenifer Loon advocated for Eden Prairie schools, families, seniors and businesses in 2017 Session
ST PAUL, MN—On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the Legislature passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
“It was an honor to work for Minnesota’s children this session in the House Education Finance Committee, and I am pleased that we garnered bipartisan support to put more money into every classroom, invest in targeted early learning initiatives and implement meaningful reforms,” said Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie. “We also passed a substantial tax relief bill that will return money to the hardworking taxpayers of Eden Prairie, as well as a transportation package that makes significant investments in our statewide transportation infrastructure and works to reduce congestion in the metro area.”
The tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly two decades—for Minnesota families in the 2018-2019 biennium and three-quarters of a billion dollars in tax relief in the 2020-2021 biennium. It includes relief for seniors on social security, college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for Minnesota businesses. In addition, the Legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees. Finally, the education bill invested $1.35 billion in new education funding over the current biennium with an increase to the per pupil funding formula of 2 percent each year which equates to $245 more for every student.
During regular session, the Legislature passed budget bills for Public Safety, Higher Education, Jobs & Energy Affordability, Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources. Altogether, the Legislature is sending ten budget bills, a $995 million bonding bill, and a labor standards bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.