Friends and Neighbors,
Our work at the State Capitol for 2013 is now complete. On Monday night, the legislative session adjourned just minutes after passing a final budget. I would have preferred the budget be completed before the very last minute and before some of the other issues we tackled this session, but this was the path my colleagues in the majority party chose. Here are the details of some of the big bills passed in the final days of session:
Omnibus Tax Bill (HF 677)
I voted NO
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Increases individual income taxes by $1.1 billion by creating a new fourth tier income tax bracket
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Increases sales taxes on commercial warehousing and storage, electronic and commercial equipment repair and maintenance, and telecommunications equipment for small and large businesses
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Increases cigarette/tobacco taxes by $1.60 a pack
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Increases business taxes by $404 million
Education Bill Signed by Governor (HF 630)
I voted NO
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Repeals requirement for students to pass a statewide test to graduate and replaces current statewide tests with a new set of exams linked to the ACT
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Teachers not passing the basic skills exams will be granted two one-year licenses while a task force develops recommendations for a new assessment system
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Does not fully or even partially repay outstanding debt owed to schools (the school “shift”)
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Spends $2 million to expand the Minnesota Department of Education
Child Care/PCA Unionization (SF 778)
I voted NO
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Child care providers who receive a subsidy from the state for child care assistance for kids of low-income parents could be forced to join a union
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Child care providers who don’t want to be unionized would be forced to stop accepting kids of low-income parents who qualify for state child care assistance, limiting options for these parents
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If unionized, taxpayer dollars meant for quality child care programs would be re-directed to union coffers through union dues
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Personal care attendants (PCAs) who care in-home for the sick, elderly, or disabled could also be forced to join a union – even if they are caring for family members
Transportation Bill
I voted NO
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Spends $5.24 billion over the next biennium
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$55 million for Light Rail projects
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Increases Met Council funding by $89 million
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Increases fees on driver’s license transactions
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Potentially doubles the wheelage tax for vehicles
Bonding Bill (HF 1070)
I voted NO
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$156 million bonding bill, mostly to complete the Capitol renovation
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Bonding bills are generally reserved for even-numbered years
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We shouldn’t be adding to our debt service when Democrats are taxing Minnesotans by $2 billion
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We can use unused bond approvals and Legacy money to fund this project
As always, it is a pleasure to serve you!
Sincerely,
Andrea
651-296-1147 or rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn