The 2014 Legislative session began a couple weeks ago with state Representative John Benson (DFL – Minnetonka) looking to build on the progress made during the 2013 Legislative Session.
“We made a lot of progress for Minnesotans last session – all-day K, college tuition freeze, job creation measures, and direct property tax relief among them,” said Rep. Benson. “These measures will significantly enhance Minnesota’s social and business climate.”
Last session began with the legislature facing a $600 million deficit and $800 million in debt to Minnesota schools. The legislature passed a balanced budget and paid back all the money borrowed from our schools. Our state created 50,000 jobs, reducing the unemployment rate in Minnesota to the lowest level it’s been in six years. The legislature’s balanced approach of budget cuts and targeted revenue increases played an important part in the generation of a $1.23 billion state budget surplus – the first balanced budget in ten years.
Within the first couple weeks, the House voted to provide middle-class tax relief through federal tax conformity that will simplify the income tax system for Minnesota taxpayers and get rid of things like the so-called “marriage penalty.” Also, due to the balanced budget, the business to business taxes that were part of the 2013 budget are no longer necessary and the House has voted to repeal them.
“The budget surplus is great news for Minnesota,” said Rep. Benson. “Minnesota now has an opportunity to place some of the surplus into the reserve fund. I have already voted in the Tax Committee and the House Floor for a $500 million business and middle class tax cut.”
There is no question that Minnesota faces considerable transportation needs across the state. This has been a difficult winter and has left many roads and bridges in rough shape. There are several transportation projects in our community that need to be addressed, specifically expanding Interstate Hwy 494 between Minnetonka and Maple Grove to three lanes in order to effectively serve the 125,000 people who travel it each day.
Rep. Benson is the chief author of a bonding bill to finance a private/public cooperative effort to expand Minnetonka’s St. David’s school known metro-wide as a leading child and family support mental health services school. Governor Dayton has included the state’s portion of funding the school’s expansion in his bonding proposal.
Rep. Benson is authoring a bill to eliminate a series of unfunded state mandates that were placed on our public schools, saving the state millions of dollars; thousands for each school district and will enhance local control.
Another focal point this session is to increase the minimum wage. Minnesota’s current minimum wage is $6.15. Only three other states have such a low minimum wage.
“I believe it’s time to raise Minnesota’s minimum wage in order to encourage people to seek gainful employment so that they are not forced to rely on government programs paid for by our taxpayers,” said Rep. Benson.
Throughout the legislative session, Rep. Benson encourages all constituents to contact him directly with any questions, comments, or concerns on any issue they may have. Rep. Benson can be reached by phone at (651) 296-9934 or by email at rep.john.benson@house.mn.
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