Dear Neighbors,
The 2018 legislative session ended on Sunday evening—marking the completion of one of the most productive legislative biennium sessions in recent memory. It is my goal to represent the values and priorities of our community and I am proud to say that we did just that.
There were several bills we passed over the final weekend including an education and tax bill, supplemental funding omnibus bill, pension bill, and a bonding bill.
The education and tax bill represented a meaningful compromise that delivered on the top priorities of both Governor Dayton and the legislature. The federal conformity plan protects taxpayers, simplifies our tax code, and provides for the first income tax rate reduction in nearly 20 years. We anticipate 99.8% of all taxpayers will see an income tax reduction or no change in their in their state income tax. Without passage of this tax bill a majority of taxpayers would see an increase in their income tax filing for 2018.
Other highlights from the tax portion of our bill include preserving the state and dependent exemption of $4,150, preserving both standard deduction and itemized deductions, as well as the personal and dependent exemptions.
The education portion makes available more than $225 million to help students and prevent teacher layoffs for school districts that are facing budget shortfalls. This is nearly $100 million more than the “emergency” funding that was requested by the governor.
The supplemental funding omnibus bill contains a variety of shared priorities with the governor ensuring safe schools, repairing roads and bridges, tackling the opioid epidemic, protecting our aging loved ones, and preventing a cut to caregivers of disabled Minnesotans.
Included in the supplemental funding bill was my provision that provides funding for the Mounds View School District to use towards teacher scholarships in order to continue operating the district’s innovative early college program. The program gives students the ability to earn free college credits while still enrolled in high school. Expansion of the program to 'Pathways to Possibilities' is scheduled for this fall and will offer 6 distinct vocation choices. I applaud the school district on their innovation and believe this program could be a model for other school districts in our state.
The bill also proposes a multifaceted approach to school safety that gives local communities the resources and flexibility they need to address school safety and student mental health issues.
We also passed an infrastructure-heavy capital investment package featuring $825 million in general obligation bonding to fund construction projects throughout the state. The majority of funding is dedicated to bricks-and-mortar projects, such as roads and bridges, water infrastructure and statewide asset preservation. Included is an appropriation of $500,000 for new water pipe infrastructure in Arden Hills located north of highway 96 along US highway 10.
Finally, we approved a pension bill that stabilizes pension plans for more than 500,000 Minnesotans, including teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public employees. I was vocal on my support of this legislation and I am pleased that this legislation now awaits the governor’s signature.
The governor has voiced his frustration with both the education/tax bill as well as the supplemental spending bill and is threatening to veto both bills. This is unfortunate as there are many critical provisions in each bill beneficial to residence of our community as well as to millions of Minnesotans. Should you feel so inclined, please contact Governor Dayton and petition him to sign these bills.
Staying Connected
I was visited by a group of students from Oak Hill Montessori today! It was fun and encouraging to meet these young students who had petitioned me last month to oppose legislation restricting city ordinances pertaining to recyclable/compostable containers. I had planned to and did vote against the legislation for which they were very happy.
That’s all for this week’s update. 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