Dear Neighbors,
I wanted to update you on some of the news happening at the Capitol in recent weeks. You’ll find information on the Governor’s supplemental budget, information on a tax study that shows taxes are going down for most Minnesotans, and an update on an oil train safety initiative that effects St. Paul all below!
Governor Dayton’s Supplemental Budget
On Tuesday, Governor Dayton unveiled his supplemental budget proposal, which directs 80% of the budget surplus to support investments in Minnesota kids and families. The Governor's supplemental budget proposal would use the surplus to invest in free universal pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds, increase funding for every K-12 public school in Minnesota, and make higher education more affordable by continuing the tuition freeze at public colleges and universities. The Governor’s proposal would deliver $187 million in tax credits for child care and working families, and raise wages for low-income working families for the first time in nearly 30 years. It would also provide additional funding public safety improvements and affordable housing. If you’re interested in learning more, materials on the supplemental budget are posted here.
Good News: Taxes are down for 9 out of 10 Minnesotans
Tax rates are decreasing for nine in ten Minnesotans (those earning less than $140,690), according to the 2015 Minnesota Department of Revenue Tax Incidence Study. The Tax Incidence Study indicates that by 2017, tax rates will drop for 9 in 10 Minnesotans compared to 2012 taxes. In 2013 there was $177 million in direct property tax relief, benefitting nearly 1 million Minnesotans. That direct tax relief achieved the intended results. The overall tax burden has become more fair across different levels of income. In addition, we are also seeing hopeful signs of wage growth in recent years. To see the full Tax Incidence Report, you can click here.
Rail Safety Improvement Plan
Last week, legislation was introduced at the Capitol to address oil train safety in Minnesota. Every day, more and more rail cars carry crude oil through Minnesota communities, including St. Paul. Just yesterday, MnDOT release information that shows over 325,000 Minnesotans live within one half mile of rail lines carrying highly volatile North Dakota oil. In the past five weeks alone, there have been five oil train derailments throughout North America. One of these trains, which derailed in Illinois, traveled right through Minnesota. We need to take action to do all we can to make sure an accident doesn’t occur in Minnesota, and to be prepared to respond if one does occur. The Railroad Oil Disaster Act aims to:
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reduce the likelihood of catastrophic fires involving crude oil trains;
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improve public safety in rail corridors across the state;
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provide property tax relief to communities like St. Paul who confront rail safety issues
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continue efforts to improve fire safety preparedness in communities across the state.
The legislation would pay for these proposals by asking railroad companies to pay their fair share through assessments and property taxes to improve safety along Minnesota’s railway corridor. These railroad companies have seen their profits increase by as much as 600% in recent years, so we feel it is reasonable to ask them to pay a fraction of those profits to keep our communities safe.
We have a fairly simple choice – should we keep our communities safe or protect profits for railroad companies? I think we need to protect Minnesotans.
Coming Up: Urban Perspectives March 22, 2015
I was lucky enough to be invited to join WCCO host Pete Rhodes recently for the news show “Urban Perspectives”. If you are awake at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning, March 22, tune in to WCCO to catch my interview. We discussed my work in the legislature and other issues affecting our community. You can watch a thirty second promo for the show here.
Tune in Sunday at 5:30am for my interview with Pete Rhodes on WCCO.
Town Hall Thank You!
I want to say thank you to all of the community members who joined Senator Pappas and I at our town hall at the end of February. We had great discussions about ways to improve access to early childhood education, improve funding for local transit and transportation projects, and help get our kids ready for careers after high school. I’m gratified to see the Governor’s proposals will use the surplus to target some of the exact issues you mentioned in our meetings! It’s great to see the added attention for helping working families and their children succeed, and I strongly support these proposals!
I joined Sen. Pappas and several other legislators for a press conference in support of passage of the Equal Rights Amendment earlier this month.
I was pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Charles Gill (right) as House chaplain, and other members of Pilgrim Baptist Church onto the House floor on March 11, 2015.
I encourage you to contact me on any legislative issue. During the legislative session, my office in St. Paul can be reached by email at Rep.Rena.Moran@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5158.
Together we are stronger.
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative