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Legislative News and Views - Rep. David Bly (DFL)

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Legislative Update 3-16-15

Monday, March 16, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

The session is moving swiftly and there are a few things I’d like to update you on.

Taxes are going down for 90% of Minnesotans

We received some good news this week.  A report was released that shows that overall tax rates are decreasing for 9 in 10 Minnesotans. The Minnesota Department of Revenue’s annual Tax Incidence Study shows that those earning less than $140,000 will be paying less in overall taxes, as a portion of income, than they did in 2012.

The study attributes the decrease in overall taxes for a few reasons:

First, wages are starting to grow for Minnesotans and are anticipated to outpace growth in new taxes.  Second, the budget passed by Governor Dayton and the state legislature has helped middle class taxpayers.  While the top 2% of earners will pay more and corporations lost special tax perks, we provided $177 million in direct property tax relief, benefiting nearly 1 million Minnesotans.  In addition, our budget cut income taxes for middle class Minnesotans through federal tax conformity, which also benefited more than 1 million Minnesotans.

When you couple this good news with our strong economy and a roughly $2 billion surplus, the Republican claim that the sky is falling in Minnesota just isn’t true. This report is more evidence that we should pursue policies that expand our economy for hardworking Minnesotans, not just the wealthy few.

Governor’s Revised Budget

With the release of the February budget forecast showing an even stronger economy in Minnesota, Governor Dayton’s revised budget reemphasizes his commitment to priorities that will help average Minnesotans, not special interests and the wealthy.  He increases his commitment to education by proposing free, all day pre-K for every four year old in Minnesota, targeted funding increases for E-12 schools, healthier children by expanding school breakfast to all children from pre-K to 3, and continue the college tuition freeze.  He helps build the middle class by providing tax cuts for working families and for the costs of childcare.  And finally, he helps seniors by investing close to $100 million in nursing homes to increase salaries and provide better care.

Riparian buffers news conference

Recently attended a press conference with Governor Dayton and legislative leaders on his bipartisan riparian buffer proposal.  I’m a coauthor of his proposal, which would require a 50 foot buffer on riparian waters.  Additionally, the bill would provide funds to help local units of government to implement this plan and allows the state to take action when violations occur.  You can read more about the Governor’s proposal.  I’m working on encouraging a local discussion of the buffer proposal with the Cannon River Watershed Project and the local corn producers.

Reverend James Reeb

With the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, I’m reminded of the murder of the Rev. James Reeb in Selma.  Reeb graduated from St. Olaf and his murder, along with the sacrifices of others in Selma, were significant factors in moving the nation to adopt the Voting Rights Act.  The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. eulogized Rev. Reeb by saying “So we thank God for the life of James Reeb. We thank God for his goodness. We thank God that he was willing to lay down his life in order to redeem the soul of our nation.”  St. Olaf will be hosting an exhibition of photographs until April 12th that were put on during their “A Long Walk Home” commemoration of Saint Olaf’s involvement in the Voting Rights Act.  More information can be found at “A Long Walk Home.”

Highlights on bills I’ve authored

The House Committee on Agriculture Finance recently heard my bill, HF 693, known as the Forever Green Agricultural Initiative.   Forever Green is a University of Minnesota program that studies perennial cover crops that benefit farmers and our environment.  These cover crops and winter annual crops would provide extra income for farmers, reduce inputs and keep runoff at a minimum.  It’s a win-win-win proposal that I’m proud to author and am encouraged to see that it receives bipartisan support.

Another bill I’ve introduced that I’d like to share is HF 781.  This bill would establish the State Bank of Minnesota, which could be used to help people refinance student loans and help farmers start out farming.  Many states, including our neighbor North Dakota, have state banks.  My bill would provide low cost loans to starting farmers to purchase land and the equipment necessary to start farming.  At a time when we’re losing so many family farms to large-scale industrial farms, it’s crucial that we do everything we can to encourage average farmers in Minnesota.

Additionally, I wanted to update you on HF 789.  This bill has been included in the Education Policy omnibus bill.  If enacted, this provision would create more opportunities for teachers with specialized skills to be licensed and instruct students with more interactive, hands on, learning.

As always, feel free to contact me with any concerns or thoughts you have by responding to this email or calling my office at (651) 296-0171.

Sincerely,

David Bly