Dear Neighbor,
We’re coming down to the wire on the 2018 legislative session and plan to work through the weekend as the May 21 deadline for adjournment arrives.
It is disappointing that today governor vetoed the bipartisan tax bill we sent him that reduces taxes for 2.2 million Minnesotans, with 99.8 percent of Minnesotans seeing tax reductions or held harmless by the sweeping federal tax changes recently enacted. The kicker is that, without this bill, conforming to the federal tax code would cause almost 970,000 filers to pay more. It also is disappointing to see the governor vetoed a bill we sent him requiring doctors to offer pregnant women an opportunity to view an ultrasound before having an abortion.
Things seem to be evolving by the hour – or even by the minute – so let’s see where things stand when the dust settles on the big packages.
In the meantime, we have continued sending single-subject bills to the governor for his action. Among those signed into law this week is H.F. 2869, a bill I authored to provide National Guard members access to information regarding State-Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) program. As I mentioned in my last email, there is a lack of awareness regarding this program, which has caused National Guard members to miss out on benefits they are entitled to while serving and during retirement. I thank the governor for approving my bill so we can start to remedy that situation.
The House also has passed a bill (H.F. 4437) which lets the voters decide if taxes already being collected from the sales of auto parts and vehicle repairs should be used to repair our roads and bridges. This bill is the cousin of bills I have authored to do the same, as far back as H.F. 2378 in 2015. In the bill we approved, a total of 4.5 percent of revenues would be dedicated to a small cities (under 5000 population) assistance account. That projects to about $12.5 million per year for small cities roads and bridges by the time the phase-in is complete. The other 95.5% would go into the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund (HUTD) where a construction account would be created.
On another note, the House also this week unveiled legislation to prevent childcare fraud and ensure public program dollars aren’t sent to countries on the US State Department travel ban list. This made big headlines after a report showed upwards of $100 million of state child care subsidies being allocated to fraudulent childcare facilities, then funneled overseas. Fraud at the expense of taxpayers on any level is disgusting, but the sheer scope of this is almost beyond comprehension. Here are some highlights of the House proposal:
- Allows Department of Human Services (DHS) to use “Immediate Temporary Suspensions” to close daycare providers that do not fully cooperate with investigators if they are suspected of fraud.
- Prohibits funds from public programs from being transferred to countries on the US State Department travel ban list.
- Requires Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) program participants from countries on the US State Department Travel Ban list to undergo an FBI background check prior to enrollment in the program.
On a brief final note, the governor has issued an executive order waiving the hours of service requirements for carriers and drivers handling anhydrous ammonia or other fertilizers, and providing direct assistance in emergency relief efforts. This is in response to the late snowfall we received which crimped the timeline for planting and preparation, causing a spike in fertilizer demand and clogging the supply chain. This executive order should open up the flow of product and improve access for farmers.
Watch for more news as things unfold at the Capitol.
Good luck,
Jeff