Dear Neighbors,
Last week was a busy one at your State Capitol.
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Governor’s Revised Budget
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NW MN Business Day at the Capitol
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Local County Authorities Testify on Ditch Bills
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Health Insurance Exchange Bill on its way to the Governor
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Senate Pushes Ban on Wolf Hunting/Trapping Season
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Visitors
GOVERNOR’S REVISED BUDGET
The big news item last week was the release of Governor Dayton’s revised budget. Due to protests from the middle class and small business owners, the governor dropped two of his most unpopular tax provisions: business-to-business taxes and a sales tax expansion.
However, the governor now proposes to increase government spending by even more than his original plan, and he wants to hike up taxes on small business owners, top income earners, snowbirds, and people who smoke.
I was honored to host the First Annual Northwest Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol. Small business owners explained that Governor Dayton’s tax proposals would be extremely harmful to their businesses, their employees and the local and state economy.
Unfortunately, with the DFL in complete control of both the Legislature and the Governor’s Office, we do not have any brakes to stop all of the new tax bills that are being introduced.
However, I have a history of working well with my colleagues across the aisle, and I am committed to protecting our small business owners and the middle class in Northwestern Minnesota. We cannot afford to have these vital economic engines move to other states or simply close up shop.
Roundtable discussion at the First Annual Northwest Minnesota Day at the Capitol.
DITCH BILLS
I was joined by several county authorities from Northern Minnesota who testified on two of my bills in the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee.
House File 949 would require the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pay their fair share of ditch taxes on state lands. For the last 20 years, the DNR has paid little to nothing to counties, which has resulted in higher taxes for private landowners.
Click here to read more about this bill.
Roseau County Commissioner Todd Miller, Marshall County Auditor-Treasurer Scott Peters, Dan Fabian and Marshall County Lone Aune testify on HF949.
House File 1021 would help protect counties from frivolous lawsuits filed by environmentalist groups against a county’s minor ditch repairs.
This bill is a top priority for the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) because these excessive lawsuits are costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to our counties and taxpayers.
Kittson County Commissioner Leon Olson, Kittson County Engineer Kelly Bengston, Dan Fabian and Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders testify on HF1021.
HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE
The Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) bill received final passage on the House floor and is now headed to the governor for his signature.
As I mentioned in last week’s email update, I have serious concerns about the HIX and how it will elevate health insurance premiums, especially in Northwestern Minnesota.
You can watch my closing remarks by clicking on the screen below:
WOLF HUNTING
Senate Democrats from the Twin Cities are leading an effort to ban the wolf hunting and trapping season we established last year. The bill passed its first committee last week, and I am keeping my eyes on its movement.
Over the last two years, I have personally seen and heard about the destruction caused by wolf overpopulation, and I’ve made a long-term commitment to protect the livelihoods of our small business owners. I stand prepared to challenge any attempt to ban wolf hunting in the state.
You can read more here about my opposition to the ban.
VISITORS
Doug and Linda Hedlund, Roseau, were recently named ‘Promoters of the Year’ by the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
Thief River Falls Day at the Capitol: Richard Sjoberg, Steve Lillestol, Wayne Johnson, Tim Hagl, and Edwin Hahn.
Local watershed district members.
Standing: Rep. Dan Fabian, Jeff Lewis (Red River Basin Commission), Dan Money (Two Rivers), Tracy Halstangard (Roseau), John Nelson (Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers), Kevin Rude (Wild Rice), Danny Omdahl (Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers), and Rep. Deb Kiel.
Seated: Roger Hille (Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers), Roger Anderson (Two Rivers), Gene Teidemen (Red Lake), Myron Jesme (Red Lake), and Nick Drees (Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers).
Please let me know if you are ever in St. Paul. I would love to meet with you at my office. Or, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have related to state government. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A