Greetings from the Capitol!
We began the 2013 Legislative Session last week on Tuesday, January 8th. I am honored to again represent the people of our area in what is now District 39A. I am serving in my fourth term in the Minnesota House and represent the cities of Forest Lake, Stillwater, Scandia and the communities of Shafer, Franconia Township, Marine on St. Croix, May Township and Stillwater Township.
This year I will be serving on the Capital Investment and Ways and Means Committees and as the Republican lead on the State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Committee. I was also appointed by the Minority Leader to serve on the MNSCU Board Candidate Advisory Council.
On January 15th I convened the first Military Action Group (MAG) meeting of 2013 as Co-Chair of the group. MAG is attended by active and retired military members, legislators, and representatives from state agencies and veterans groups. This week, we previewed the veterans-related legislation I have introduced in the House. One bill I am authoring would make veterans pensions exempt from state income tax while another would modify the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program by granting civil immunity to anyone who participates in the program. I will send out more information on these bills in the coming weeks.
As some of you know, Governor Dayton and DFL legislators have proposed tax increases on both wealthy and middle-class Minnesotans to solve this year’s projected budget shortfall. I wrote a column last week outlining my opposition to these taxes which you can read here.
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Thank you for the honor of being your state representative.
Sincerely,
Bob