Dear Friends,
This session, Republicans have pushed Democrats to focus on legislation that puts Minnesota families first. We've worked to correct the Democrat tax errors made in 2013, voting to repeal business-to-business taxes and restore middle-class tax breaks from federal conformity that Democrats failed to implement last session.
We voted to increase school lunch aid for low-income students, helping fix a Democrat mistake after they voted against an amendment that would have fixed this problem in 2013.
This week, Republicans urged Democrats to take the politics out of a widely-supported effort known as the 5% Campaign. The 5% Campaign, HF2408, would provide a 5% increase for home and community based care service providers that care for some of our most vulnerable citizens. This increase is long overdue and crucial to attracting and securing high-quality workers to this important profession.
There are more than 70 co-authors from both parties supporting this measure. We could pass this bill today, as written, with super-majority support -- no politics, no games, no gimmicks. The House passed a motion to bring the bill to the General Register, which is a necessary step before a bill can be brought to the floor, by a vote of 120-10, underscoring the broad support for this bill.
Unfortunately, Democrats on three separate occasions blocked efforts to bring a clean 5% bill to the floor for a vote. They chose to put their own selfish political interests before doing the right thing by prioritizing this piece of legislation.
This bill is a common-sense priority for Minnesotans. We take care of our most vulnerable citizens in Minnesota, and passing this bill would reinforce that message loud and clear. We will continue to urge Democrats to put the political games aside and bring a clean 5% bill to the floor.
Survey Results
Thanks to everyone who took time to share your thoughts and opinions for my 2014 legislative survey. I wanted to share with you the results:
1. Last session Governor Dayton pushed through the largest tax and fee increase in Minnesota’s history at more than $2 billion. Do you agree with the decision to raise taxes by more than $2 billion?
Yes: 6.9%
No: 90.2%
Undecided: 2.9%
2. Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature approved a $90 million office building for legislators. The new building comes at a cost of $3.3 million per legislator. Do you think we should be spending money on a new office building?
Yes: 4.5%
No: 90.4%
Undecided: 5.0%
3. Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature voted to tax your water and electric bill during the 2013 legislative session. Do you agree with higher taxes on your utilities?
Yes: 4.3%
No: 91.6%
Undecided: 4.1%
4. Governor Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation that may require self-employed independent people running home-based childcare to become members of a union. Do you support or oppose this legislation?
Support: 3.6%
Oppose: 91.5%
Undecided: 4.8%
5. Democrats have talked about raising the gas tax. Do you support any increase to the gas tax?
Yes: 10.6%
No: 84.4%
Undecided: 5.0%
Constituent Visits
Special thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit my office this week.
April from Zimmerman stopped by for Disability Matters Day and in support of the 5% Campaign
Holly from St. Francis in St. Paul to talk about adoption reform
As always, my door is open. If you're planning a visit to St. Paul, please consider contacting my office to schedule a meeting. You can reach my office at rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5364. I also welcome your input, thoughts, and feedback on any of the issues before us at the legislature.
Have a great weekend,
Rep. Kurt Daudt
House Republican Leader
State Representative, District 31A