Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, the House approved Democrats’ tax omnibus bill. I voted “no” on the bill because Democrats failed to provide middle-class families with meaningful, permanent tax cuts. Instead, they have opted to spend $21 of your tax dollars for every $1 of tax cuts/reductions. This is unacceptable.
While the bill provides some credits, there are very few permanent tax cuts or exemptions even though we have a $9 billion surplus. At a time when Minnesotans are being forced to pay more for everything thanks to decades high levels of inflation caused by the Walz/Biden economy, it is disappointing that Democrats did little to put money back in your pocket.
It did increase the exclusion for Social Security benefits from state taxes to 85% of all recipients. The Senate bill excludes 100% of all Social Security benefits to all recipients, which I prefer. Minnesota is one of only 12 states that still tax Social Security benefits. I am hopeful we can eliminate any state tax on Social Security benefits after the conference committee report comes back.
Democrats are also making undocumented immigrants eligible for the Working Family Tax Credit and the Property Tax Refund Program.
All in all, the tax bill represents a massive, missed opportunity for lawmakers to return the state’s budget surplus back to you, the hardworking taxpayers. Hopefully, after conference committee with the Senate, a tax bill will come back for final passage I can support.
Click here or the photo below to watch my comments on the bill during debate.
Staying in Touch
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share your thoughts, questions, and concerns as it relates to state government. I can be reached at 651-296-4229 or via email at rep.glenn.gruenhagen@house.mn.
Have a great day,
Glenn