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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Randy Jessup (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Randy Jessup

Friday, May 4, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

It was a busy week in St. Paul as the House approved several supplemental omnibus finance bills. These bills represent our commitment to improving the lives of every day Minnesotans. Here is a brief recap of a handful of these bills.

House Approves Tax Conformity Plan

On Monday, the House approved a tax plan that conforms Minnesota’s tax code to changes made at the federal level, ensuring that Minnesotans will see the benefits from last December’s federal tax bill.

In addition to conformity, our plan simplifies the state code and lowers taxes for 2.1 million Minnesotans—including the first income tax rate cut in nearly 20 years for those in the 2nd income tax bracket.

As I’ve stated numerous times, this is likely one of the most important issues facing the legislature this year and I am glad that we are on our way to getting this done.

Transportation

The House voted to approve a transportation package on Tuesday that builds on the successes of last year’s legislation that saw one of the largest investments in our roads and bridges in history—all without raising the gas tax.

This year’s transportation omnibus bill utilizes surplus funds leveraged with trunk highway bonds to spend $385 million on transportation needs this year.

Other highlights from the bill include:

  • $250 million for highways statewide through Trunk Highway bonds
  • $145 million in Trunk Highway bonds and $10 million in cash for Corridors of Commerce program projects
  • $25 million for county roads and $6.6 million for city roads
  • $75 million for trunk highway rail grade separation projects
  • $9 million to deputy registrars for MNLARS reimbursement aid

Health and Human Services

Our health and human services omnibus bill focuses on making health care more affordable for Minnesotans and works to address pressing issues like the opioid crisis, elder abuse, and addressing problems with waste, fraud, and abuse in our health care system.

Public Safety

Our public safety omnibus bill works to improve the safety of Minnesotans and their families.

Here are some highlights from this legislation:

  • Enhancing penalties for reckless driving while using cellphones in violation of state law
  • Strengthening and closing loopholes in Minnesota law regarding sex offenders and sexual crimes
  • Funding to hire more Guardian ad Litems to ensure child protection cases are assigned the guardians they require
  • Requiring ignition interlock for repeat DWI offenders to reinstate driving privileges

We also passed legislation related to jobs and energy affordability, state government finance, agriculture and environment and natural resources. For brevity’s sake, I will not go into detail on those bills in this update, but please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you’d like information regarding these pieces of legislation. 

Java with Jessup

On May 12th, I will hosting a Java with Jessup event at the Starbucks on Lexington Avenue and 694 in Shoreview. This is an opportunity for you to stop by and share your thoughts, questions, and concerns regarding this year's legislative session. Come visit any time between 9:00 am and 10:30.

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Staying Connected

Thank you for allowing me to represent you at the Capitol.  For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-0141 or rep.randy.jessup@house.mn.

Sincerely,

Randy