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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Greg Boe (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Boe

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you had a great weekend and were able to enjoy some time with family and friends. With another week underway at the legislature, I wanted to send out a quick email update with some info on a few of the bills I am coauthoring so far.

Eliminating Social Security Taxes

One of the bills I am coauthoring this year is one to fully eliminate the state taxes that are collected on senior citizens’ social security benefits. In my conversations with people in our community, I’ve heard from many of you about the need for further tax relief and I believe this is one area that we can help reduce this burden. Minnesota is a highly taxed state and people are making decisions to move elsewhere, especially in retirement.

Two years ago, the legislature took a promising step in the right direction as laws were enacted to phase out taxes on social security benefits. It would be great if this year we could finish the job and fully eliminate social security taxes. The bill I am coauthoring would benefit nearly 358,000 Minnesotans who would average savings of nearly $1,100 each from the elimination. I will be a strong advocate for this bill this session, and I believe it is important that we join the many other states that allow seniors living on a fixed income to keep more of their social security benefits.

Auto Parts Sales Tax

I am also coauthoring legislation this year to require existing auto-related (auto parts, repairs, etc.) sales tax revenue to be allocated to fund transportation. I believe it is important to ensure the revenue (which consumers are already paying and the government is already collecting) from taxes on auto-related purchases go toward funding roads and bridges and not taken for other purposes. There has been a lot of talk of a gas tax increase to fund transportation projects so far this year and I think this idea would be a great alternative. Allocating these dollars to transportation is an effective, common sense way to ensure we have enough funding in this area without a gas tax increase.

Local Events

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Waconia Chamber and Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast at the MN Landscape Arboretum. (left to right: Jeff Filipek-SW Metro Chamber President, Rep. Greg Boe, Sen. Scott Jensen, Kellie Sites-Waconia Chamber President and Rep. Jim Nash)

Please Contact Me

I’d like to encourage you to please contact me to share any legislative questions or ideas you may have. In order to best represent our district in the legislature, I believe it is crucial that I hear your concerns and priorities. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-5066 or by email at rep.greg.boe@house.mn.

Sincerely,

Greg