Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Minnesota Constitution requires the Legislature to adjourn by this coming Monday, but because no bills can be passed on the last day of session the deadline to pass bills session is on or before Midnight Sunday night. House and Senate Republicans have been working hard passing multiple bills this week and we will continue through the weekend fighting for the values and priorities of hardworking Minnesotans!
Rep. Lucero attending the Secure 360 cyber security conference in Minneapolis this week and crossed paths with one of his former students.
TAX CUT AND CONFORMITY BILL VETOED
December 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) into law. As a result, MN tax law must be overhauled prior to tax season next year or Minnesotans will see a significant tax increase next year.
Earlier this week House and Senate Republicans passed a bill to cut taxes and simplify Minnesota’s tax code and sent the bill to Gov. Dayton for his signature. The bill included a provision that would have moved Minnesota’s tax system from being based on federal taxable income as it currently is to a system based on federally adjusted gross income when determining Minnesota’s taxable income. The change to base upon federal adjusted gross income would have made Minnesota’s tax code less reliant on federal changes in the future. The bill sent to Gov. Dayton also included multiple provisions that would have reduced taxes on over 2.2 million Minnesota tax filers.
In a shameful display of partisan politics, Gov. Dayton Thursday morning traveled to Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul to surround himself with second- and third-grade students as props and to lead them to chant VETO as he vetoed the tax cut and conformity bill.
If Gov. Dayton continues to play politics, Minnesotans will see a significant hardship at tax season next year. Legislative Republicans are working pass a second bill to send to Gov. Dayton that hopefully he puts Minnesotans first and signs.
$100 MILLION FRAUD SUSPECTED
Earlier this week KMSP, Fox 9 reported on a five-month investigation on “what appears to be rampant fraud in a massive state program.” The story can be read here. The fraud is suspected of costing Minnesota taxpayers as much as $100 million per year with evidence some of the public money is ending up in the hands of terrorists. If true, this investigative news account only confirms the long-suspected waste, fraud, and abuse rampant across Minnesota’s overly-generous welfare programs.
This week on the House Floor an amendment was added to a bill that would mandate the Department of Human Services provide training to county and private licensing agencies on identifying and preventing fraud relating to provider reimbursement to those in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
The House this week passed a proposed constitutional amendment question to add to the 2018 ballot. The amendment would dedicate existing sales tax revenue from the sale of motor vehicle repair and replacement parts to state and local roads and the revenue would be phased in over four years. Beginning July 1, 2024, the revenue from sales tax on the purchases of motor vehicle repair and replacement parts must be allocated solely to roads and bridges. If approved by the Senate, the question what would appear on the ballot is:
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase funding for roads and bridges by dedicating existing sales tax revenue from the sale of motor vehicle parts?”
Since statehood, the Minnesota Legislature has submitted a total of 216 constitutional amendment proposals to the people for their ratification or rejection. Of these proposals, 121 were approved and 95 were rejected. Accounting for the proposed amendments that have appeared on the ballot more than once, this amounts to 182 different subject matter proposals that have been approved by the Legislature for the ballot.
A proposed amendment must be approved by a majority vote of the elected members of both the MN House and Senate in order to appear on the ballot in a general election. To be ratified, a majority of all voters casting ballots at the election must vote in favor of the amendment.
I voted in favor and the proposal sending the bill to the Senate where it is awaiting their action.
STAYING IN TOUCH
As always please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you may have that will assist me best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at Rep.Eric.Lucero@House.MN or by phone at 651-296-1534.
Sincerely,
Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton