Dear Neighbor,
Your input is valuable to me, and I'd like to hear from you about important issues being debated at the Capitol.
This is the last week to take my survey so please make sure to share your opinions with me by clicking the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Oneill2015
I will share the results with you soon!
Jobs and Energy Omnibus Bill
In the Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee, we completed and passed out of committee our omnibus bill which will fund a number of state agencies including DEED and DOLI. Policy initiatives in the legislation cover jobs, energy and housing in Minnesota.
House File 843 works to protect Minnesotans by providing cheaper, cleaner energy. For years, energy prices have been creeping up taking more out of the pockets of middle class families and seniors, stretching budgets thin. One of the reforms in HF 843 would allow energy providers like Xcel to change their rate cycle every five years. Currently, state law allows them to renew rate cycles up to every three years. This change would offer additional consistency for people to see what their energy costs will be for a longer period of time.
Additionally, HF 843 also makes significant reforms to energy policies in Minnesota, reforming many of the expensive solar mandates placed into law last biennium, reforming net metering which will positively impact rural and electric co-ops in Greater Minnesota and lowering the price of propane supplies.
Finally, the bill also works to increase energy efficiency and reduce pollution on our roads, offering rebates for electric cars and natural gas bus and heavy truck fleets.
Minnesota is a very high tax state—6th in the nation for overall tax burden, and with billions in new tax increases last biennium and rising energy prices, we are working to give you some relief. In addition to $2 billion in tax relief Republicans are proposing as part of the total budget this session, we also are putting forth targeted energy reforms in HF 843 to help lower your energy costs.
I will keep you updated on the progression of this omnibus bill, along with other House omnibus bills as they move out of committee and onto the House Floor in the coming weeks.
As always, please feel free to contact me about any state legislative issue. You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 549 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Marion