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Dear Neighbors,
Tomorrow, Minnesota Management and Budget will announce the February Economic Forecast. This will give lawmakers a better understanding of our state’s financial situation heading into the remainder of session as the House and Senate put together our respective budget blueprints. For my part, I’m committed to moving forward in a manner which invests in what we value, like great schools and affordable health care, and doing so in an honest, responsible fashion.
Governor’s Budget
Last week, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan unveiled their own two-year budget proposal. The “Budget for One Minnesota” prioritizes education, health care, and community prosperity across the state. It serves as an excellent starting point to building a bright future for all Minnesotans. Our communities face challenges, including the many Minnesotans who experience homelessness, a shortage of care workers people with disabilities count on to live full lives, rising prices of prescription medications, and financial challenges facing our schools. I thank the Governor for highlighting some of these priorities in his budget and look forward to working with him, the Lt. Governor, and other legislators to address them this session.
Bonding Bill
Yesterday the Governor announced his proposed capital investment package, seeking to invest $1.27 billion in community infrastructure to benefit the entire state. With a solid state credit rating and aging infrastructure, it’s a smart time to invest in these needs. About half of the investments will be targeted toward maintaining existing assets, through projects like roof and exterior replacements and other renovations of state buildings. Taking care of what we have now is much more cost effective than building new or letting things fall apart.
I’m excited that his proposal includes funding for initiatives benefiting Duluth, such as passenger rail development, including the proposed Northern Lights Express from the Twin Cities to Duluth, as well as investments in the Port Development Assistance Program which supports our local economy. The Governor also recommends funding the renovation of UMD’s A.B. Anderson Hall, a $4.3 million project. He also recommends $150 million of investments in affordable housing to help ensure all Minnesotans have a place to call “home.”
Committees in both legislative bodies will consider a wide variety of bonding proposals including those to provide economic opportunity, help ensure safety and security at our prisons, protect our drinking water, maintain our higher education institutions and more.
Expanding Car Sharing Opportunities
I’m the author of HF 1357, which will invigorate our emerging car sharing services in Minnesota by exempting them from the tax on short-term rental cars. It’s no secret that over the years, we’ve set the car rental tax higher than some others because usually, it’s people visiting from out of state renting vehicles and therefore paying the tax. For car sharing services, like HOURCAR, this isn’t the case, and instead it’s usually Minnesotans using the service. This tax rate has impeded the growth of innovative, emerging transportation options and has caused car sharing services to either pass over Minnesota in favor of other states, or leave Minnesota. As we work to build a true multi-modal transportation system, with strong roads, transit, cycling and pedestrian options, and more, car sharing will be an integral part of this and I’m proud to support these efforts. HOURCAR CEO Paul Schroeder joined me to present the bill.
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