Hello from St. Paul,
This week, budget bills continued to be debated on the House floor. Many of them have already been passed by the full House, while a pair of them are expected to come forward next week.
I also took part in a rally at the Capitol opposing the governor's proposed cuts to transportation and other non-pupil aid.
SERVING ON PUBLIC SAFETY/JUDICIARY FINANCE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
As co-chair of the House judiciary finance committee, I was pleased to have been named as a conferee on the joint House/Senate public safety and judiciary finance conference committee.
Since the House and Senate versions of this proposal are not identical, a conference committee – which is a group with an equal number of representatives and senators – is called to work out the differences between the two bills and craft compromise legislation that can be approved by both bodies.
The first meeting of this conference committee took place on Wednesday. Once we receive a compromise budget target, I am hopeful that we will reach consensus quickly on a plan that will fund statewide law enforcement and court needs over the next two years, and so much more.
TAX BILL KEEPS YOUR TAXES UNCHANGED
A new bipartisan tax bill advanced this week that ensures no tax increases for anyone over the next two years. This marks a significant shift from last session, when the Democrat-controlled legislature and Governor Walz raised taxes by over $10 billion, even after they wasted a record $18 billion budget surplus.
The current plan also takes steps to address future budget deficits by cutting $40 million in spending in each of the next two budget cycles. Additionally, the bill:
- Increases the market value exclusion for homes owned and occupied by disabled veterans
- Expands a program allowing more senior homeowners to defer part of their property taxes
- Creates a sales tax collection credit for small and mid-size retailers, letting them keep a portion of the sales tax they collect
This commonsense legislation provides stability for taxpayers while making targeted investments to support those who need it most.
To all of our mothers, Happy Mother’s Day! And if you are taking part in the fishing opener this weekend, good luck!