Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Tax Conformity Update
As I shared last week, while Governor Dayton wants to raise $1.4 billion in taxes on hardworking folks across our state, House Republicans are advancing a tax conformity plan that aims to simplify and reduce taxes for Minnesotans.
On Monday, we passed our tax bill with bipartisan support. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress recently, conformity is far more complicated than in previous years, but we want to get this done—both to ensure that hardworking taxpayers can take full advantage of meaningful tax relief, and also to prevent unnecessary complications for tax filers next year.
I will share more as we work toward final agreement with Governor Dayton and the Senate on a tax bill.
Environment Bill Passes the House
On Thursday, we passed a supplemental bill package that included my Environment bill.
The Environment portion of the bill dedicates $750,000 to combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Minnesota. It also reinforces our state’s commitment to outdoor recreation, investing a greater portion of the revenue from deer hunting licenses to the Deer Management Account, supporting greater investments for ATV and snowmobile trails in Minnesota, and closing loopholes in law regarding ATV and snowmobile operation for those who have been convicted of a DWI. Finally, the bill brings greater oversight to state agencies, including sending the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency back to the drawing board on their unworkable 10 mg/L sulfate standard for wild rice, working to find a solution that protects our environment while also better serving municipalities and employers in Greater Minnesota
In addition to Environment, the House acted on the remainder of our supplemental proposals this week. These bills, which were all passed off the House Floor, tackle everything from road and bridge investments to lowering health care costs for Minnesotans.
Highlights in our budget adjustment bills passed this week include:
- Providing $385 million for transportation needs this year, using surplus funds leveraged with trunk highway bonds to repair and improve our roads and bridges
- Reinstating the impending 7 percent cut to the Disability Waiver Rate System
- Addressing vulnerable adult abuse and neglect, strengthening the tools the state can use against perpetrators of abuse and holding state agencies accountable for their shortcomings on maltreatment investigations
- Strengthening penalties for those who assault a peace officer, protestors who illegally obstruct roadways and transit, and for sex offenders, including those who possess or disseminate child pornography
- Funding three new veterans homes in Minnesota with excess Stadium Reserve Funds
- Cutting the MNsure tax on health plans to help lower health care costs for Minnesotans
- Combating the opioid epidemic
- Implementing reforms to reduce potential fraud and waste in our public health care system
- Requiring state agencies to spend 3.5 percent of their IT budget to support state cybersecurity
- Investing in mental health counseling for farmers and rural professionals
- Expanding broadband development grants
Overall, I think there are a lot of commonsense proposals in the House bills passed this week, and as we head into the final weeks of session, we will work to find compromise with the governor and Senate on these bills.
I will share more in future updates.
Capital Investment Package Unveiled
Also this week, the House announced our bonding bill which includes $825 million in projects focused on maintaining our public infrastructure, investing in roads and bridges, and funding water and conservation projects.
I think our Capital Investment bill is reasonably sized and respects hardworking Minnesota taxpayers, while investing in critical brick-and-mortar projects across our state.
At the Capitol
Great to be able to spend some time with the Grygla 6th grade class at the Capitol this week! What a great group of kids! Their teacher, Mrs. Nelson, is a former student/athlete of mine and a friend!
So fortunate to be able to join with so many of my fellow House members for a few minutes yesterday at the Capitol for the 67th annual National Day of Prayer. Thank you to all who attended to pray with and for us!
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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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