Dear Neighbors,
On Monday, the House approved legislation that would make it legal to purchase firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other similar fireworks in Minnesota. Fireworks would be legal to sell from June 1st through July 10th every year.
The bill would give local municipalities the option to issue a license fee to stores wishing to sell these products while also allowing cities to prohibit their sale if they so choose.
It is estimated that Minnesota may lose up to $5 million in sales tax revenue every year when people drive across the border to purchase fireworks.
Senate Releases Budget Targets
On Wednesday, the Senate released the details of their supplemental budget proposal. The Senate’s proposal calls for an additional $789 million in spending this year. This spending would be above and beyond the state’s two year budget that was set last year.
If spending an additional $789 million wasn’t disappointing enough, the Senate is proposing to spend nearly the entire $900 million surplus with almost zero dollars going towards transportation—their self-proclaimed top issue. Instead, they continue to advocate for a historic gas tax increase.
Their proposal stands in contrast to the House’s plan which calls for no spending increase, instead using the state’s $900 million projected surplus for transportation and tax relief.
While our plans take two very different approaches, I am hopeful that we will be able to negotiate a deal that offers meaningful tax relief and a plan that repairs our roads and bridges without raising the gas tax.
Staying in Touch
If you ever have questions or concerns regarding a matter that is being discussed here in St. Paul or back home, I encourage you to contact me. I can be reached by phone at
651-296-9918 or via email at
rep.steve.green@house.mn.
It would be great to speak with you and discuss your ideas and concerns.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend,
Steve