Dear Neighbors,
It’s been a busy week in St. Paul as we wrapped up debates and voting on the first round of Democrats' omnibus budget bills. We have been on the House Floor until at least midnight most nights for the last two weeks. As always, it’s an honor to represent you and fight for our shared values.
Public Safety Bill
On Wednesday, House Democrats approved their Public Safety and Judiciary Omnibus Bill on a party-line vote of 69-60. The bill makes thousands of incarcerated felons eligible for early release, reduces sentences for violent offenders, and provides hundreds of millions of dollars to non-profit organizations with little accountability.
These misplaced priorities will help criminals instead of protecting Minnesota communities. This bill will put violent felons back on the streets by allowing them to serve only half of their prison sentence and fails to address the needs of law enforcement like helping recruit, train, and retain officers.
Democrats’ “Get Out of Jail Free” card will allow those convicted of violent crimes including manslaughter, rape, kidnapping, assault, and domestic assault to have their prison sentences reduced if they complete Department of Corrections programming.
Additionally, the bill contains two controversial gun provisions that fail to address the root causes of violent crime, instead creating barriers for law-abiding Minnesotans to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.
To add insult to injury, as Democrats bend over backward to take it easy on convicted felons, their gun proposals will turn otherwise law-abiding Minnesotans into criminals if they fail to follow complicated and burdensome new processes laid out in the bill. There are ways to keep neighborhoods safe and make sure firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals without violating civil rights. This bill dramatically misses the mark on both accounts and will make Minnesota less safe.
Health Bill
We also saw the passage of the Health Omnibus Bill this week. Yet again, Democrats are pushing an extreme agenda that is out of step with the majority of Minnesotans. This bill expands abortion, eliminates Minnesota’s Born Alive Infants Protection Act, and spends your budget surplus.
This was an easy “no” vote.
Tax Bill
On Thursday, the House approved this year’s Tax Omnibus Bill. Despite a record-breaking budget surplus of $17.5 billion, Democrats are looking to raise taxes by $10 billion—including $2.2 billion in this bill.
In the bill, they fail to fully repeal the state’s unfair tax on social security benefits. This directly breaks campaign promises that so many Democrats made last fall.
Additionally, they are looking to radically change the way the state governs electronic pull tabs. This move will financially devastate hundreds of charities across Minnesota, including some right here in our community, that depend on revenue generated from e-pull tabs. This is unnecessary and will unfairly harm local charities.
Staying in Touch
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas on ways to improve state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4237 or via email at rep.paul.novotny@house.mn.gov
Have a good day,
Paul