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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

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Legislative Update (March 22, 2013)

Friday, March 22, 2013

Dear neighbor,

 

This week, the House DFL leadership put out its own budget framework proposal. My biggest concern about their proposal is that it seeks to impose an even higher income tax on Minnesotans than Governor Dayton’s plan. While some in St. Paul think this is wise policy, enacting this tax will hit small businesses registered as LLCs or S-Corps the hardest given the fact that 92% of businesses file taxes through individual tax returns. With North Dakota implementing policies to attract businesses to its state, we should be finding ways to encourage businesses to locate and stay here in Minnesota.

 

I’m keeping a close eye on the wolf hunt moratorium moving through the legislature. Recently, a Senate committee approved a bill that would reinstate the ban on wolf hunting. However, the House has yet to take up the legislation. It’s currently sitting in the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. As a member of that committee, please know that I will vote against this legislation if it moves forward.

 

Gun rights continue to be an issue here at the Capitol as well. This week, the House Public Safety Committee attempted to push through a bill that would require registration for gun owners. However, the DFL committee chairman could not muster enough votes to get the legislation through committee. Unfortunately, last night the committee passed a bill that would impose a requirement for background checks made for private sales at gun shows. As a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, I oppose this bill.

 

Another alarming proposal being pushed at the House seeks to have a 40% renewable energy mandate by 2030 and a 4% solar mandate by 2025. If passed, these energy mandates would be devastating to our economy and could cause electric bills to jump as much as 70% in some parts of the state. Given our district’s proximity to North Dakota, these proposals will drive businesses away and make our state an outlier in energy costs. I encourage you to call your energy co-ops to ask how these mandates would affect your monthly energy bills.

 

 

LEGISLATIVE BREAK AND TOWN HALLS

 

The legislature will be on break next week. I plan to use that time to meet with constituents in the district. I have four town hall meetings scheduled. Two of them will be this coming Saturday. I’m eager to hear your thoughts, questions, and concerns on issues before the legislature. Here are the details for the upcoming town hall meetings:

 

Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 a.m. – Lake Park Café, 2030 2nd Street, Lake Park

 

Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m. – Cottage House Café, 119 Main St. NW, Menahga

 

Saturday, March 30 at 9:00 a.m. – Red Apple Café (backroom), 116 N. Main Street, Mahnomen

 

Saturday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. – D & R Café, 27 Central Street West, Bagley

 

As always, I can be reached via email at rep.steve.green@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-9918. Mail can be sent to Rep. Steve Green, 231 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Steve