Dear Neighbors,
Before we get to this week’s legislative news, I would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend as we pause to solemnly honor the brave individuals of our nation’s armed forces who have given their lives in defense of our freedom.
We wrapped up the legislative session on Sunday by passing and sending to the governor a tax conformity and education funding bill, a supplemental budget bill, a bonding bill, and a pension bill.
Unfortunately, Governor Dayton vetoed the tax/school funding bill and supplemental budget bill on Wednesday afternoon. These vetoes are extremely disappointing, as they will have wide-ranging consequences that will negatively impact millions of Minnesotans. The legislature made a good-faith effort to compromise and made significant concessions, removing nearly 70 percent of the governor’s stated objections. These bills contained a host of critically important provisions, and it’s unfortunate that yesterday’s vetoes mean countless Minnesotans will suffer and be left to face the consequences of this move.
The tax conformity and education bill were part of an effort to find compromise with the governor on each of our respective priorities. House Republicans’ federal tax conformity plan protected taxpayers, simplified Minnesota's tax code, and provided the first income tax rate cut in nearly two decades. The bill also made available more than $225 million to help students—nearly $100 million more than what the governor requested, providing new money and additional flexibility for school districts’ efforts to address budget shortfalls.
Meanwhile, the supplemental budget bill contained shared priorities like ensuring safe schools—a top priority of both Republicans and the governor this year, repairing roads and bridges, tackling the opioid epidemic, protecting aging and vulnerable adults, and preventing a 7 percent cut to the wages of caregivers of disabled Minnesotans.
However, as a result of Wednesday’s vetoes, none of this will happen this year. Below is a list of some the groups of people who will be negatively affected by the governor’s vetoes:
- Victims of elder abuse & opioid addiction – vetoed fixes for these problems areas
- Victims of distracted driving – vetoed strengthening penalties
- People with disabilities, and their caretakers – vetoed fix to federal 7% cut to the Disability Waiver Rate System
- Citizens & deputy vehicle registrars – vetoed help with dealing with MNLARS hassles
- K-12 students – vetoed school safety funding, support for Head Start and Special Education programs
- Minnesota Taxpayers – vetoed a fix that was fair to everyone, now a large number of Minnesotans will see major increased in their next year’s state income tax bill
- Low-income working families – vetoed state help on federal child care subsidies
- Patients – vetoed transparent pricing for health care and prescription drugs
- Businesses and farmers – vetoed Section 179 conformity for equipment depreciation
Also blocked by Wednesday’s vetoes is the 340B conformity legislation that I worked on extensively this session. This would have made certain Minnesota receives its $191 million from the federal government to cover people receiving healthcare through Medical Assistance. Following the governor’s veto of the legislation last session, Minnesota remains out of compliance with the federal government in this area, and now risks losing said federal funding if the matter isn’t addressed this year. I am especially disappointed that this was not enacted, as these federal dollars are necessary to ensure low income Minnesotans get the healthcare they need.
Still awaiting the governor’s action is the infrastructure-heavy and geographically balanced bonding bill that we passed. This package prioritizes statewide infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges and water infrastructure. It also dedicates funding for the construction and renovation of veterans homes throughout the state.
Even with the vetoes of the tax/education and supplemental budget bill, I believe we have had an incredibly productive past two years, providing Minnesotans with the largest tax cut in nearly two decades, the largest investment in roads and bridges in state history without a gas tax increase, critical health care reforms, and significant investments in students and schools. I know we will take up many of the issues that were vetoed again next session, and I am eager to continue to work for the Minnesota’s shared priorities.
Staying in Touch
It was a privilege to serve as your voice in St. Paul this session. Thank you to everyone that took the time to contact me during the legislative session. This summer, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns that you have on any issue relating to state government. I can be reached via phone at 651-296-5387 or via email at rep.roz.peterson@house.mn.
Sincerely,
