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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dale Lueck (R)

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LEGISLATURE SENDS COMPLETED BUDGET TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

Friday, May 26, 2017

 

Historic tax relief, transportation funding increase are signature accomplishments of 2017

ST. PAUL – Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, is applauding $650 million in tax relief and a significant increase in funding for roads and bridges as the top accomplishments of the 2017 Legislature, which completed its budget work and adjourned early Friday morning.

“This is a great day for Minnesota,” Lueck said. “We moved the needle on tax reform and finally we are able to reduce the state income tax on seniors’ Social Security retirement benefits. After three years of hard work I am pleased that we will provide some long-overdue tax relief for our seniors who are living out their retirement years on fixed incomes.”

The Minnesota House and Senate concluded a brief special session by passing the final bills that authorize the state’s 2018-19 budget. As agreed to with Gov. Mark Dayton, the Legislature passed seven bills during special session: taxes, transportation, state government, health and human services, K-12 education, capital investment and labor standards.

The Republican-led tax bill that passed with strong bipartisan support provides more than $650 million in tax relief – the largest tax cut in nearly two decades – for Minnesota families in the 2018-19 biennium and roughly $750 million in tax relief in 2020-21. In addition to relief for seniors on Social Security, the burden is lessened for college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses also is provided.

In addition, Republicans championed and the Legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history, billions more over the next 10 years without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees.

“The $300 million in new funding we provided for our transportation infrastructure will allow us to move forward on badly needed road repairs and upgrades,” Lueck said. “Legislation I worked on directing sales tax revenue already being collected on the purchases of auto parts toward roads and bridges was included in the transportation bill. In a time of surplus, raising taxes is not justified. We simply have to match available funds to our transportation needs.”

In the past few days, the Legislature sent 10 budget bills, a $995 million bonding bill and a labor standards bill to the governor for his signature.

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