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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Nick Zerwas (R)

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Legislative Update (April 26, 2013)

Friday, April 26, 2013

Dear neighbor,

 

It’s been another busy week in St. Paul.

 

On Wednesday, the House debated the Democrats’ tax bill. When the Republican-led legislature faced a $6.2 billion deficit, they were able to balance the budget without raising taxes. Because they did not raise taxes, we saw increased productivity and increased revenue as a result. So with a $627 million budget deficit for the next biennium, why do we need to raise $2.6 billion in taxes? Please don’t be fooled when you hear that the income taxes will only hit the rich. Taxes will go up for 60% of single filers making between $21,650 and $73,500 and go up for 83% of joint filers making between $31,650 and $130,000.

 

I also do not recall Democrats running on taxing our beer and wine. During the debate on the House floor, Republican members pointed out that the alcohol tax is ultimately a manufacturing tax with the costs passed down to the consumers. In response, DFL members said that if businesses pass that cost along to the consumers, they’re “lining their pockets” at the expense of consumers. Here’s my solution – don’t impose new taxes on alcoholic beverages. Problem solved. Cheers!

 

The Health and Human Services omnibus bill came to the floor on Monday for debate. This bill spends $11.212 billion over the next biennium. Instead of prioritizing HHS dollars on nursing homes and senior care – which got a cut from House Democrats – this bill spends too much money on funding bureaucracy and duplicative programs. The silver lining about the bill is that three pro-life amendments were attached to the bill. The first amendment requires abortion facilities be licensed in the same manner as outpatient surgical centers. The second amendment specifies that abortion would not be included in the essential health benefit package for policies sold in the healthcare exchange. The third amendment updated an existing law stating that insurance companies can’t be required to provide abortion coverage. I was proud to support all three of these pro-life amendments. While I did not support the overall omnibus bill, I hope, at the very least, these pro-life provisions stay in the bill after the conference committee.

 

Because we’re at the time in session where we are having long days and nights on the House floor, I have been getting back to Elk River pretty late most nights. However, please know I’m still available via phone and e-mail if you want to get a hold of me. I often return constituent phone calls on my way home after work. Also, feel free to visit me in St. Paul with any of your comments, questions and concerns.

 

I can be reached via email at rep.nick.zerwas@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-4237. Mail can be sent to Rep. Nick Zerwas, 303 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

 

Please feel free to share this update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for my email updates by clicking here and putting in your contact information.

 

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Nick