Hello from St. Paul,
As this is a budget setting year at the State Capitol, Governor Dayton recently presented his budget to the Legislature. He has proposed spending $45.8 billion on state government programs over the next two years, which would represent a ten percent increase over our current spending total of $41.5 billion.
Governor Dayton also has tax increases he’d like to implement. $1.5 billion would be raised over the next two years alone by increases in the gas tax, tab fees, the Metro area sales tax, new license/title surcharges, and more. He also wants a $1.4 billion tax increase on trips to the doctor by extending the provider tax, otherwise known as the sick tax.
Worth remembering is that Minnesota is also projected to see a $1.4 billion surplus this year.
Governor Dayton’s plan will now be discussed in House committees. Moving forward, know the goal of House Republicans is to work hard for meaningful tax relief and a responsibly-sized state budget that respects hardworking Minnesota taxpayers.
Several upset Blaine residents contacted me recently about the City’s decision to cut down a number of trees in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. The City of Blaine is holding a listening session on the topic and I plan to be in attendance. Please join me at the Blaine City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cloverleaf Room to learn more or make your voice heard.
I enjoyed meeting with a number of Blaine residents and local officials over the past week. I was pleased to have been invited to the Blaine Rotary where I heard more about the need to improve 105th Avenue; the North Metro Chamber Legislative Reception where I was able to speak on the 105th Avenue bill and Uniform State Labor Standards Act legislation; and the Blaine Business Council where I heard from local school boards about the innovate advancements they’ve made in their districts this year!
Have a great weekend,
Nolan