Dear Neighbor,
Dairy Day at the Capitol was Wednesday and I was pleased to meet with numerous people who work in that industry.
Agriculture makes up around 20 percent of our state's economy and it's even more significant in parts of the state like ours. Dairy is a huge part of that, as an $11.6 billion statewide industry that supports more than 40,000 jobs in the state. This is a huge component in keeping smaller towns throughout the state vibrant and puts valuable money in our local economies.
A big topic of discussion this week surrounds repealing taxes passed in 2013 that negatively effect the dairy industry and agriculture in general. The new taxes of chief concern impact equipment repairs and warehousing. I opposed these taxes on their way to passage and continue advocating their repeal. The recent report indicating the state has a $1.2 billion surplus gives us an opportunity to accomplish this. Basically, Minnesotans were taxed at least $1.2 billion too much.
We anticipate picking up those tax repeals on the floor late this afternoon. I'll circle back soon with a recap.
Sincerely,
Paul