Dear Neighbors,
The legislature has returned from its weeklong Easter/Passover break with a whole host of supplemental budget bills awaiting action in the House. With the House Democrat majority in the House calling the shots, it should come as no surprise that they are seeking to spend the majority of the state’s $9 billion budget surplus on growing the size of government.
In fact, their budget proposes $21 in new government spending for every $1 in tax cuts.
This is unacceptable!
We should never lose sight that this surplus belongs to you, the hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota. I am working as hard as possible to make sure that you and your family receive the tax relief that you deserve.
All of us are struggling right now as inflation is impacting our family budgets. Everywhere you go, you're seeing it in higher grocery prices, gas prices, home heating/energy bills, and more. Despite this, Democrats are still pushing policies that would make people's lives more expensive including tax hikes that hit every employer in Minnesota, a new payroll tax that takes money out of your paycheck, energy regulations that drive up gas and home heating prices, and more.
Budget Bill Updates
Here is a brief rundown on a few of the budget bills that are making their way to the House floor for votes.
- Agriculture—historically, the agriculture bill is nonpartisan and has received broad support from members of the legislature. Sadly, that is not the case this year as House Democrats have loaded up the bill with controversial proposals that will make life more difficult for farmers. This includes unnecessary regulations on unused seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides and a ban on plastic-coated pesticides and fertilizers.
- Environment—this year’s environment and natural resources bill proposes hundreds of millions in new spending and includes numerous jobs killing regulations through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
- Veterans—the Veterans’ bill spends nearly $100 million on a variety of veterans’ issues including homelessness prevention, Veteran bonuses, military reenlistment incentives, and Veteran suicide prevention.
- Housing—this bill seeks to spend $415 million and would impose severe regulations and restrictions on housing providers and landlords in Minnesota. It also does nothing to address the high price of homes and home construction in our state, especially when compared to our neighbors in Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.
Looking Forward
Nearly every omnibus bill has a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee this week or next, and the hearings began on Tuesday. The Ways and Means Committee is the final stop before bills hit the floor for a vote.
I plan on keeping you up to date on some of the details of these bills as they begin to come to the House floor for votes.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-8237 or via email at rep.brian.daniels@house.mn.
Have a great day,
Brian