Hello from the State Capitol,
Most committee work has ended in the Minnesota House, so our focus for the remainder of session has shifted to approving bills on the House floor.
ALLOWING YOU TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT YOU EARN
House Republicans have unveiled a “North Star Comeback” package of bills authored to protect family budgets, make government work, and build a world-class economy.
The package puts real money into people’s pockets by way of the largest tax cut proposal in state history, at nearly $4 billion. The relief includes a one-time property tax refund, ending taxes on tips and overtime, lowering childcare costs, cutting car tab fees, and delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to Minnesota schools at no cost to taxpayers through scholarship granting organizations.
HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO STRENGTHEN FRAUD ACCOUNTABILITY
The statute of limitations for those who commit fraud would increase under legislation approved by the House recently. Currently at six years, the proposals would extend the statute to ten years to give investigators more time to uncover and charge those criminals who stole taxpayer funds.
By extending the prosecution window, the legislation strengthens accountability and helps safeguard resources intended for Minnesotans who rely on these programs. Ultimately, it gives us the opportunity to claw back that money and get it back in your hands. I recently signed on to this legislation as we must hold fraudsters in Minnesota accountable, and extending the statute of limitations is one way we can do that.
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
100% TAX ON FRAUDSTERS
I also recently signed onto the “Take it Back Act,” which would establish a 100% tax on state money obtained through fraud, to be imposed on individuals and organizations who have been convicted of doing so.
It is notable because the tax applies to convicted fraudsters in addition to the court-ordered restitution that they are already required to pay. Money returned to the state via this new tax would be deposited into a "Taxpayer Relief Account," to provide income and property tax relief.
The bill has numerous Democrat co-sponsors so I am very hopeful it will be approved on the House floor before session adjourns.
SEXTORTION CRIME BILL APPROVED IN HOUSE
The House approved a proposal to increase penalties for “sextortion” crimes. Attention was drawn to this crime after a 16-year-old boy from rural Minnesota took his own life after sending illicit images to what he thought was a girl but was actually the perpetrator of an online sextortion hoax.
The legislation imposes enhanced penalties for some sextortion violations. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim suffering great bodily harm, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim’s death, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.
E-MOTO BILL HEADS TO HOUSE FLOOR
I was pleased that the House Ways and Means Committee approved my bill that would ensure that electric motorcycles must follow the same rules as any other motorcycle. Next stop: the House floor, where I am hoping for strong bipartisan support, as this is common sense legislation. A Hastings resident nearly died after being hit by an e-moto on the sidewalk, so we need this bill to be approved in order to prevent future accidents and injuries.
LOCAL VISITS
I was pleased to meet with members of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce recently.
Its top priority is clean drinking water for the City of Hastings, and it’s mine as well.
I’m a strong supporter of the Steel Workers Union, so it was good to meet with some of its members recently.
I also met with a group raising AIDS awareness.
As well as members of Peer Navigators.
I also had a good chat with a student of New Life Academy in Woodbury
As well as my nephew who was also in St. Paul for a visit!
Have a good weekend,
Tom