ST. PAUL, MN—On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the House passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
“Coming into the legislature, I wanted to help deliver tax relief and increased funding for our roads and bridges,” said Rep. Keith Franke, R-St. Paul Park. “Our tax bill benefits working families, senior citizens, small business owners, and more. We also got a transportation bill passed that funds roads and bridges without raising the gas tax or license tab fee. In all, I’m proud of the bipartisan effort it took to deliver this state budget.”
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 2018-2019 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 farmers and Minnesota businesses. In addition, Republicans championed and 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.
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.
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