Dear Friends,
This weekend Fleet Farm is hosting Touch a Trunk in celebration of our Hometown Heroes. A squad car from Oskais PD, a fire truck from Osakis FD, and ambulance from North Memorial will be there for kids to explore. Stop by for this free event on June 24 from 10am – 2pm. More information can be found here.
I was proud to fight all session long for funding for the Geneva-L’Homme Dieu boat channel. This critical funding will be used to expand the culvert, allowing more boats to use it. I was disappointed, however, that this important project was tucked into a bonding bill that was chock full of money to non-profits with no oversight. In light of the Feeding Our Future scandal, we can no longer afford to send taxpayer money to non-profits without any accountability for the funds being properly used. I will always stand up to ensure government is being a good steward of your tax dollars.
Unfortunately, under the Democrat trifecta last session, it was difficult to stop all the wasteful spending. We started session with a historic, $17.5 billion surplus. By the end of session, Democrats had spent so much money that they had to raise your taxes by nearly $10 billion in order to pay for all their pet projects instead of giving Minnesota families the permanent, meaningful tax relief they deserve.
There were $3.8 billion in tax increases in the Transportation bill alone. Those increases include:
- Vehicle Registration Tax/Tabs: This tax hike averages to be a 36% increase over the first 11 years of your new vehicle. The change will apply to taxes payable for a registration period starting on or after January 1, 2024.
- Filing Fee increases: Filing fees will increase to $8 on every vehicle registration renewal, excluding pro rate transactions. This section is effective October 1, 2023.
- 50 Cent Delivery Fee on retail deliveries over $100: Over $189 million over four years is expected to be leveled on residents who shop from home thanks to this tax. The fee will be implemented on deliveries over $100. Exemptions include deliveries for groceries, prepared food, baby products, and feminine hygiene products. The tax would begin on July 1, 2024, and is the largest delivery tax in the U.S.
- $6 Fee Increase for Driver licenses: This is effective July 1, 2023, and applies to applications made on or after that date.
- Gas Tax Automatic Increases for Inflation: The expected gas tax hike beginning January 1, 2024 is 5 cents over four years. Drivers will pay $423 million over four years for this Democrat priority.
- Increase in Motor Vehicle Sales Tax from 6.5% to 6.875%: Will give Minnesota the 5th highest Vehicle sales tax rate in the U.S. This section is effective for sales and purchases made on or after July 1, 2023.
If you are in the market for a new or used car, now is the time to buy before the sales tax increases on July 1! These tax increases are going to hit every family in Minnesota. I am disappointed that Democrats failed to work with Republicans to provide permanent, meaningful tax relief for all Minnesotans.
Republicans were successful in convincing Democrats to provide $300 million for nursing home funding. We are in the middle of a long-term care crisis in Minnesota, and this funding will be critical for nursing homes in our area, like Knute Nelson, so that they can keep seniors in our community. I was proud to fight for our seniors last session and deliver this critical funding.
One final reminder: License renewal notices will no longer be mailed via USPS starting with July 2023 renewals. Reminders will now be sent to via email. Not sure if your email address is updated? You can update your contact information so you don’t miss a renewal notice here.