Dear Neighbors,
With the start of the 2016 legislative session just a month away, it is time to start thinking about the big issues that will be addressed in the coming year. With a budget surplus, crumbling roads and bridges, and a tax system in need of reform, the coming session presents opportunities to continue our work to ensure that Minnesota remains a great place to work, live, and raise a family.
Taxes
The Minnesota Management and Budget Office announced in December that the state is projected to collect a $1.8 billion dollar surplus for 2016-2017. While the surplus sits at $1.8 billion, the state is required by law to put about $600 million of that money into budget reserves. This leaves a roughly $1.2 billion surplus for the coming year.
Such a large surplus indicates that Minnesotans are being overtaxed. Therefore, I would like to see a portion of this money go towards tax relief and reform.
Last year, the House passed a tax bill that would have reduced taxes on middle class families, college students, seniors, veterans, small businesses, and more. I would expect similar legislation to be looked at this coming session.
Transportation
In addition to tax relief, a comprehensive transportation bill is in the works for the coming session. Most agree that Minnesota’s roads and bridges are in in dire need of repair and as you may remember, the House passed a bill last year that would have invested $7 billion in Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure without raising taxes. This piece of legislation was blocked last year due to Governor Dayton and the Senate DFL Majority’s insistence on a gas tax.
With a $1.2 billion surplus and an innovative approach that repurposes already existing revenue streams, I believe we can make serious investments in our transportation infrastructure without increasing the gas tax—which is regressive and a declining source of revenue.
In our community, I am pleased to see the growing bi-partisan coalition of legislators, city council members, county officials and others supporting Highway 10. Last week, the Highway 10 working group met with members of MnDOT and the Speaker of the House to discuss ways we can increase traffic flow along Highway 10 and make safety improvements. As a group it was agreed that it is important to be on the same page and push for the same goal as well as continue the momentum from the recent opening of the Armstrong interchange.
I look forward to continuing to work with our city and county officials to advocate for improving the Highway 10 corridor between Fairoak in Anoka and Ramsey Boulevard in Ramsey.
MNsure Audit & Hearing
Last week the non-partisan Office of the Legislative Auditor issued a report that found, among other issues, that the Department of Human Services paid as much as $271 million in taxpayer dollars to ineligible public health program recipients. In addition, nine of eleven prior findings from a 2014 audit have not been resolved.
This shocking example of government waste is unacceptable and must be addressed.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to hold MNsure and the Department of Human Services accountable for their shortcomings and ensure that Minnesotans have access to cost-efficient and reliable health care.
Click here to read the audit in its entirety..
For more information on the recent hearing click here.
Elder Care
Finally, Minnesota is facing a demographic shift that has implications for its future. Next year alone, 60,000 residents will turn 65 and by 2020, seniors will outnumber all K-12 students in Minnesota. This means that the legislature must continue to reform and properly fund our aging and elderly care.
In December, House Republicans introduced a package of proposals entitled the CARE (Caring for Aging, Retiring, and Elderly) Act. The policy proposals aim to improve options in health care, financial security, housing, transportation, nutrition, and careers for Minnesota’s growing population of aging adults. Notable among the provisions included in the CARE Act is a proposal to phase out Minnesota’s income tax on Social Security Benefits.
I had the opportunity to have the Chair of the Aging and Long Term Care committee out to one of our facilities here in Anoka—Golden Living Twin Rivers, which received an additional $183,476.93 thanks to last year's reimbursement. This will likely go towards increasing staff wages, which are quite low compared to other health care fields.
Community Happenings
A reminder to vote in the special election in our Senate District on February 9th to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Senator Branden Petersen. For information on your polling location, visit here.
Furthermore, I am sad to share news that this year’s Mayors Snowmobile ride has been cancelled due to poor conditions.
Finally, if you are looking for a non-traditional way to spend your Valentine's Day, plan on spending Sunday, February 14 playing bingo and winning some awesome prizes! Come to Biffs Sports Bar, in Spring Lake Park, at 5 p.m. on the 14th! You'll have a ton of fun and support Stepping Stone Emergency Housing in the process.
With the 2016 session set to be one of the shortest in recent memory, lawmakers will have to hit the ground running. I look forward to returning to St. Paul to address these issues and am honored by your trust and support in electing me to serve as your representative. As always, I welcome your input on any issue. I can be reached by email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn or via phone at 651-296-1729.
Sincerely,
Abigail