Slashing Taxes, Education Funding, and a Local Sports Victory

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April 10, 2026

GOP Budget Focus: Slashing Taxes

With tax season approaching, House Republicans released our North Star Comeback budget proposal, centered around affordability for Minnesotans. The proposal includes $3.8 billion in tax cuts. This would be the largest tax reduction in state history and would have a direct positive impact on your family budget.

Minnesotans have been taxed too much for too long. Our state currently ranks seventh in the nation for overall tax burden, and Minnesota families are struggling to keep up with inflation. 

Included in the North Star Comeback are the following items:

• Reducing car tab fees to pre-DFL Trifecta levels.
• No tax on tips and qualified overtime (creates an annual rebate program).
• No tax on Social Security payments (we are one of eight states that tax these).
• Property tax rebate to offset the $1 billion in levy hikes this year.

These items will have an immediate positive financial impact for Minnesotans. Please be assured that I am doing everything within my power at the State Legislature to help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

Ensuring Proper Funding For Education

New Federal Tax Credit:

Having cut $150 million from schools in his recent budget, and another $50 million for special education, Governor Walz is aware that our schools are facing financial difficulty. Therefore, I was very disappointed to see that he has refused to opt Minnesota into a new federal program that will provide a 100% federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to charitable organizations that grant scholarships for private or public school expenses. These types of organizations are prevalent in Greater Minnesota, and heavily support our rural public schools. All that Governor Walz would have to do to carry out the program is certify the entities helping schools, and private citizens could donate to organizations of their choosing. His refusal to do so can only be explained as a very bad side effect of TDS.

School Lunches:

In an effort to find more creative ways to fund our schools without raising taxes, House Republicans have also proposed an amendment to our state's free lunch program. This bill would have families making 500% of the federal poverty level (roughly $156,000 for a family of four) once again pay for school lunches for their children (free breakfast will remain for all). This bill will free up approximately $170 million per year, and schools will have the flexibility to use the extra money where they need it. I believe that we can find common ground with our DFL colleagues on this, and it is my hope that we can get the bill passed.

Kasson-Mantorville Powerlifting Title

I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Kasson-Mantorville senior Leila Galloway for taking home the National Powerlifting Title in Killeen, TX, this week!

Weighing in at 111 pounds and competing in the 52-kg weight class, Galloway secured the gold medal with a 121-pound bench press, 215-pound squat, and finished her performance to take the lead with an incredible 303-pound deadlift—a personal record, lifting over 2.7 times her body weight!

It is wonderful to see our high school athletes attain such success at the national level and make our community proud.

Click HERE to read more about Galloway's win!

Please Stay in Touch 

Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 651-296-9236 or you can email me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn.

Have a great weekend!

Duane

/RepDuaneQuam

2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9236