Dear Neighbors,
I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, as we take time to remember those brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and freedoms. I will be attending the program in Lake Bronson.
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
2017 Legislative Session Concludes
After reaching a bipartisan agreement between the House, Senate and Governor Dayton, legislators completed their work this week and sent a full budget to the governor’s desk for his signature. Highlights of this session include two top Republican priorities—tax relief and transportation.
First, Minnesotans will see more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly 20 years—that will put money back in the pockets of families, farmers, college graduates, seniors on social security and Main Street businesses.
Our transportation plan makes the largest investment in our road and bridge infrastructure in Minnesota’s history without a tax increase as we focus on essential road and bridge projects across the state. We were able to do this in part by using existing transportation-related revenues and without raising the gas tax or increasing license tab fees.
Third, for our students and schools, we increased the per pupil funding formula by two percent and two percent, increasing funding for education by $1.35 billion and putting more money into every classroom. We also were able to implement needed teacher licensure reform which will help tackle Greater Minnesota’s critical teacher shortage and repeal the “last in, first out” policy so that we can be sure to keep the most effective teachers in our classrooms.
In the environment bill which I authored and helped negotiate, we improved our state’s regulatory permitting process and worked to ensure Minnesota continues to be a top destination for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. Working with farm groups and counties we were able to make changes to the buffer law that gives landowners more flexibility and creates a waiver process, for those impacted by the November 1, 2017 deadline, that allows for a waiver for up to 8 months to give more time for compliance to buffer requirements.
Other important highlights this session include the passage of Digi-Key provisions that will help them expand and create up to 1,000 new jobs up in Northwest Minnesota. Also, we passed a $995 billion bonding bill that is focused on much needed infrastructure projects across the state, including some important projects in our area.
Overall, this was a great session for the people and priorities of our state, and I am pleased that tax relief and investments in transportation infrastructure topped the list of accomplishments in 2017.
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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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