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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Andrea Kieffer (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Andrea Kieffer

Friday, January 25, 2013

Hello Neighbors,

It has been a busy week at the Capitol, here are a few highlights:

Budget

Gov. Dayton proposed his budget plan this week for the next biennium. It includes new taxes, tax increases, and a homeowner property tax rebate. Additionally, the expansion of the sales tax would impact families at all income levels. I spoke with the Woodbury Patch about the budget and you can read their full story here.

Specifically, the budget would:

  • Increase spending to $37.9 billion in FY14-15
  • Raise $3.7 billion in new taxes and cut spending by $225 million
  • Add a new sales tax on business services, clothing (items over $100), and personal services
  • Increase the tobacco state tax by $.94 per pack
  • Increase the transit tax in the seven county metro area
  • Delay full repayment of shifted aid to Minnesota schools until 2017

You can read the entire budget proposal from the Governor online here. When paired with the latest minimum wage increase proposals, I am concerned these changes will make it harder to do business in Minnesota and drive jobs out of the state.

Cancer Prevention Study

The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to enroll in their Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS) this summer. Please visit this link to learn more.

Upcoming Listening Session

As a reminder, tomorrow I will hold my first listening session of 2013 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the R.H. Stafford Branch Library in Woodbury.

Summer Jobs

The Minnesota Conservation Corps are looking to hire dozens of young people (age 18-25) for summer jobs in their Conservation Apprentice Academy. Applicants should have an interest in natural resources and the outdoors and can learn more here.

Public Safety Bill

This week I also introduced HF 142 along with several of my colleagues. The bill would increase penalties for repeat criminal sexual conduct offenders.

Please contact me with any thoughts or questions you have.

 

Stay warm,

Andrea

651-296-1147 or rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn