Dear Neighbor,
Another busy week in St. Paul and more bad bills from the majority are moving through the process.
So how about we instead talk about something all Minnesotans should agree needs to happen? Here we go:
Minnesota is one of just 12 states that still tax social security benefits. With a $17.6 billion state budget surplus, and price increases straining family budgets, the time is right for a full repeal.
I have co-authored legislation (H.F. 135 and H.F. 153) to do exactly that, ending once and for all the state tax on Social Security. The full repeal would benefit an estimated 473,000 people with an average tax savings of $1,276. By contrast, Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal doesn’t fully repeal the state Social Security tax, with only 43% of Minnesotans receiving some form of relief – on average, $278 per household.
With a state surplus of $18 billion, tax relief is a flat-out expectation for Minnesotans this session, and deservedly so. That being the case, the first thing we should do is fully eliminate the state tax on Social Security to stop the injustice of taxing this income twice. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it would help at least partially offset the rampant price increases people are facing in today’s economy.
Beyond that, Democrats signaled last fall they were all-in for a repeal of the Social Security tax. Now, more than a month in to the 2023 session, the House majority has not brought forward bills related to this subject.
Home schools
House Democrats conducted a committee hearing for a proposal which specifically targets home schools with burdensome, unnecessary reporting requirements.
The state of Minnesota is failing kids across the state, with 60 to 70 percent of students unable to read proficiently. Instead of actually getting to the root of the problem to help lift students who have fallen behind, the bill House Democrats propose would drag down home school students with more needless regulations and unhelpful reporting requirements.
How loudly do parents have to say, “LEAVE US ALONE” before the state hears them? Families have their reasons for choosing to home school their children instead of going through the state’s public education system. This kind of red tape is exactly what some people are looking to escape. You can’t help but wonder how this new mandate ultimately would be used against home school families.
This provision actually is part of the governor’s budget proposal. It’s H.F. 1269 as introduced in the House by Democrats. I oppose this measure and will continue speaking against it.
Gun-control bills
I mentioned in my newsletter that Second Amendment supporters should be on notice regarding gun-control bills House Democrats are moving through the committee process in an attempt to force unprecedented restrictions on us. Two of those bills received another committee hearing this week as they continue advancing, including:
- HF 14: Universal Background Checks (aka Universal Gun Registration): Criminal background checks required for firearm transfers, and grounds modified for disqualification of transferee permit.
- HF 15: Red Flag Gun Confiscation Orders: Law enforcement and family members enabled to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others by possessing a firearm, and money appropriated.
The Second Amendment is something I cherish and, if it is important to you as well, please check out these bills and understand what is at stake. I have big concerns with each proposal and will continue standing up for our constitutional rights every single day.
VP visits St. Cloud
The vice president visited St. Cloud this week, the perfect time to mention how, from taxes to blackouts, Democrats in St. Paul are trying to make our state more like Harris’ very own home state of California.
Gov. Walz just signed into law the Blackout Bill that is unaffordable, unreliable and dangerous energy policy. On top of that, Democrats want to raise taxes despite a $17.6 billion surplus so they can spend even more on state programs. The governor’s proposal would put our highest tax bracket, even above California.
I participated in a press conference yesterday to address the Harris visit, largely focusing on misguided liberal policies related to energy and mining that are crippling our state. I spoke about local impacts with liberal policies putting us on the brink of shutting down Sherco, the state’s largest coal plant, right here in our own back yard. Click here for brief press conference video.
Hope you have a good weekend and, as always, please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Shane