RELEASE: Legislative Update: Tax Day

Legislative Update: Tax Day

Today is tax day, and it’s a good reminder of how frustrating things have become for suburban families. At the state level, a lot of everyday costs have gone up, and families are being forced to make tough choices.

I don’t usually focus on the negative, but over the past four years we’ve seen increases across the board: a new delivery fee, higher vehicle sales taxes, a gas tax increase, a new payroll tax, a 1% metro-wide sales tax, higher car tab fees, rising child care costs, utility bills, and property taxes.

Over the past several months, I’ve received hundreds of emails from families who are feeling the pressure and making difficult decisions because of choices made at the Capitol. And even with all of these increases, we’re still seeing proposals that would raise costs even further, including a media tax, a digital advertising tax, and even a so-called “force out” tax.

I’ve heard from many people who say these proposals could push them out of their homes, or even out of Minnesota entirely.

I’ll be honest, I’m frustrated. We were sent here to deliver results for the people of Minnesota, and right now, we’re not where we should be. There’s too much focus on ideas that raise costs and not enough focus on making life more affordable for the families we represent.

As Co-Chair of the Suburban Solutions Caucus, my focus remains on your priorities, starting with affordability.

Suburban Solutions Caucus: Dollars & Sense Initiative

Our Dollars & Sense Initiative is focused on lowering costs and putting money back in the pockets of Minnesota families. It includes practical, targeted proposals to address rising expenses and make our state more affordable.

See more about these proposals in our joint press release [ HERE ]

Protecting Workers and Farmers

To build on the work we’ve done in recent years on PFAS and clean water, I’m continuing efforts to protect our communities, workers, and farmers. I’m co-authoring House File 3965, which phases out the use of a harmful chemical linked to Parkinson’s disease.

This is a step in the right direction, and I’ll keep working to find bipartisan solutions that protect our neighbors and preserve our water.

Investing in Infrastructure

Clean water and safe roads remain top priorities, especially when it comes to Highway 7.

With nearly 50,000 cars traveling this corridor every day and nearly 1,200 crashes over the past 10 years, about one every three days, I authored and presented a bipartisan bill to fund critical safety improvements.

Highway 7 serves over a dozen communities, including Shorewood, Minnetrista, Excelsior, Tonka Bay, St. Bonifacius, and Greenwood. It’s also a major route for students and young drivers attending Minnetonka, Westonka, Waconia, and Eastern Carver County schools.

Thank you to Minnetrista Mayor Whalen and City Administrator Jasper Kruggel for testifying, and to Shorewood Mayor Jennifer Labadie and City Administrator Marc Nevinski for their continued work to move this project forward.

Weekly Poll Question 

Last week I asked: What are the biggest affordability challenges facing you and your family?

Results: The top three responses were Healthcare costs, Property Taxes, & Insurance 

This Week's Question: Despite the frustrating lack of progress, what's the one result you expect the Legislature to deliver this year?

[ Contribute to the Weekly Poll ]

Listening, Bringing People Together, and Creating Solutions

My time at the Capitol and in the district gives me the opportunity to listen, learn, and focus on what matters most to our community.

Whether it’s supporting workers, hearing from small business owners, visiting with students at Westonka High School, or connecting with families across the district, these conversations help guide my work.

Our community is strongest when we come together, find common ground, and work toward practical solutions.

At the end of the day, this work is about the people we represent. Our communities deserve policies that make life more affordable and create real opportunities for families to succeed.

I’ll keep working to bring people together and focus on solutions that reflect our shared priorities. Thank you for your continued engagement and for being part of the conversation.

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to me on my cell at 612-615-8444.

Sincerely, 

Representative Andrew Myers

House District 45A

Co-Chair of the Suburban Solutions Caucus

“Your voice has an impact.”

Serving Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius and Tonka Bay

Report Fraud!

Minnesota has lost an estimated $9 billion to fraud, money meant to help vulnerable Minnesotans and fund your top priorities. We can’t afford to let it continue. If you’ve seen or experienced fraud in state programs, make a confidential report at MNFraud.com and help us protect taxpayer dollars.

Please Contact Me

Please continue to reach out with thoughts, ideas, and priorities by emailing me directly at rep.andrew.myers@house.mn.gov or calling me at my office at (651) 296-9188 or via my cell at (612) 615-8444. Your voice has an impact and allows me to better address the priorities of you and your neighbors. Thank you and have a great week.