Thanks To You, Republican House Tie Blocks Radical Leftist Legislation

Thank You For Your Political Engagement

Friends and neighbors,

I would like to start this newsletter by thanking you for your engagement in our political process. Your efforts are what ended the DFL Trifecta that did so much damage to Minnesota over the past decade.

With our current tie in the State House, Republicans have had the leverage to nullify some seriously far-left legislation, and it would not have been possible without you.

A few DFL proposals that House Republicans are STOPPING:

• Total ban on "assault-style" rifles and magazines with a capacity over 10 rounds
• 5X increase in your annual car tab fees
• Income tax expansion
• Property tax expansion
• Limiting law enforcement's ability to protect their identities from criminal cartels
• Codifying abortion up to the date of birth into the State Constitution
• Requiring taxpayers to cover gender transition surgery for state employees

These are just a few in a long list of radical bills that the DFL would pass if Republicans had not achieved a tie in the last election cycle. In Minnesota, every single seat counts. Though it can sometimes feel like nothing gets done at the State Capitol, I assure you that your efforts have been effective, as they are the reason that House Republicans have been able to prevent radical leftists from further degrading our state.

I want you to know that we appreciate you, and we will continue to fight on your behalf.

What is Going on With Property Taxes?

As a staunch conservative, I am constantly advocating at the State Legislature to lower your taxes across the board. However, property taxes hold a special place in my heart as the most aggravating form of taxation. Aside from the moral principle of paying taxes in perpetuity for the "privilege" of continuing to own something that you have already purchased, there is the fear factor that comes with opening your annual assessment and hoping you don't find a 20% increase for seemingly no reason. 

What is causing these sudden spikes in property taxes over recent years? The answer may surprise you.

Before I joined the Minnesota House, I was under the impression that most of our property taxes go toward funding critical infrastructure, such as roads and schools. But the truth behind our property tax hikes is much deeper than that: the DFL passes social programs that the state can't afford and forces counties to pay for them. By burying the cost of their bad legislation in our property taxes, the DFL is able to avoid electoral backlash, as they know most people will place the blame for the tax increases on their county officials.

Unfunded state mandates, such as Paid Family and Medical Leave, are indeed paid... by us... As these mandates compile, so too do our property taxes. For instance, a piece of legislation passed by the DFL Trifecta in 2023, entitled the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, is set to go into effect in 2027. From my conversations with county commissioners, the strain that this act will put on local budgets will be significant, as will the property tax increases that you and I are about to experience when this rolls out.

Minnesotans deserve to know who is responsible for their property tax woes, and it is not local officials. It is DFL politicians at the state level who do not have the spine to stand behind the tax increases that they are imposing, and instead pass the buck to county commissioners to deal with the fallout.

I pledge to continue to advocate for transparency and across-the-board reductions in your tax burden.

Troubleshooting Rural Vet Shortages

Minnesota's rural communities are facing a critical shortage of veterinarians, which is a threat to our state's entire agricultural industry. We have witnessed an increasing migration of veterinarians out of Greater Minnesota, and trends have shown that simply throwing more money at the problem has not remedied the situation.

Large animal veterinarians, caring for animals like cows, horses, and pigs, are especially at risk. Smaller dairies and smaller cattle ranches lose access to readily available large animal veterinarian services. Many producers quit when their livelihood and animal health are at risk. Agriculture represents as much as 20% of Minnesota’s economy. I believe it is important to our state's economy to keep agriculture in the hands of many, not just a few.  

That is why I have recently authored HF2878, which authorizes owners of commercial feed licenses to employ veterinarians. Under current statute, you must yourself be a licensed veterinarian in order to own a veterinary clinic. The problem that I have found in my conversations with members of the industry is that the cost and effort needed to participate in this downward trend is too big. Retiring veterinarians cannot sell their businesses when younger veterinarians find less financial risk and higher pay in metro or rural small animal vet clinics. Helping animals and running a business are two different skillsets. Many veterinarians have told me that the business-side of the operation does not interest them, and they understandably prefer to focus all of their time on the medical side.

We are at a critical time for smaller producers and large animal veterinarians. This legislation is a win-win, as it will introduce a new avenue for feed suppliers to add veterinary staff, and service the needs of producers, while allowing veterinarians the flexibility to spend more of their time on the medical side of the business that drew them to the profession in the first place.

I look forward to keeping you updated as this legislation progresses.

As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with the questions and priorities that are most important to you. As your voice in the State House, these conversations are vital for allowing me to best represent your interests in St. Paul. It is an honor.

Tom Murphy

MN State Representative District 9B

Proudly Serving Otter Tail and Douglas Counties

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