With Roger and Jan Heckmann from Forest Lake
Dear Friends,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Tax Conformity Update
Last week I talked about the House’s tax conformity plan which includes the first income tax rate cut in nearly two decades. With significant tax reform at the federal level, we worked to craft a plan that will simplify our tax code, prevent unnecessary complications for filers next year, and ensure hardworking taxpayers can keep more of their hard earned money.
On Monday, the House passed the tax conformity bill on a bipartisan vote. The next step will be to find agreement with Governor Dayton and the Senate to finalize a plan that best serves Minnesota taxpayers. I will keep you updated.
Supplemental Bills
This week was very busy in the House, as lawmakers debated and passed several supplemental bills that will do everything from fund three new veterans homes in our state to help lower the cost of health care for Minnesotans.
Highlights include:
- Providing $385 million for transportation needs this year, using surplus funds leveraged with trunk highway bonds to repair and improve our roads and bridges
- Reinstating the impending 7 percent cut to the Disability Waiver Rate System
- Addressing vulnerable adult abuse and neglect, strengthening the tools the state can use against perpetrators of abuse and holding state agencies accountable for their shortcomings on maltreatment investigations
- Strengthening penalties for those who assault a peace officer, protestors who illegally obstruct roadways and transit, and for sex offenders, including those who possess or disseminate child pornography
- Funding three new veterans homes in Minnesota with excess Stadium Reserve Funds
- Cutting the MNsure tax on health plans to help lower health care costs for Minnesotans
- Implementing Met Council reforms that would add elected officials to the Council and stagger their terms, as well as eliminate the Transportation Advisory Board
- Closing loopholes regarding the operation of a snowmobile or ATV for those who have been convicted of a DWI
- Combating the opioid epidemic
- Implementing reforms to reduce potential fraud and waste in our public health care system
- Requiring state agencies to spend 3.5 percent of their IT budget to support state cybersecurity
I think there are a lot of very positive things that will benefit Minnesota citizens, taxpayers, families and businesses in our supplemental budget adjustment bills. As we head into the final few weeks of session and work out final agreements with Governor Dayton and the Senate on these issues, I will share more.
National Day of Prayer
Thursday marked National Day of Prayer, and I was honored to give the prayer at two events this week. In the morning, I attended a prayer breakfast in Stillwater and prayed for our government and leaders. I also attended an event in Forest Lake where I prayed for our military, our veterans and their families.
It is truly inspiring to have our nation come together in prayer every year on National Day of Prayer.
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As always, thank you for the honor of being your state representative. Please contact me with any questions or input you may have; I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Bob