Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, I’m thrilled to return to St. Paul as we kick off the 2025 legislative session. This session brings a range of critical issues to tackle, and my Republican colleagues and I are already hard at work. The work ahead is too important to delay, and I remain committed to fighting for the people of our state to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. I’m also excited to share updates on new legislation I’ve introduced to deliver meaningful tax relief and promote greater fiscal accountability for our state. Introducing House File 5: A Path Toward Relief for MinnesotansI’m proud to announce the introduction of House File 5, a bill that seeks to reduce financial burdens on hardworking families, retirees, and businesses across our state. This legislation is designed to put people first – not government – by providing meaningful tax relief and cutting unnecessary costs. Here’s what the bill does: - Suspends Gas Tax Indexing: Freezes the gas tax rate at 31.8 cents per gallon for gasoline and diesel, stopping automatic inflation-based increases.
- Repeals the Retail Delivery Fee: Eliminates the $0.50 delivery fee on transactions over $100 and reallocates existing tax revenues to support impacted programs.
- Exempts Social Security Income from State Taxes: Fully removes state income taxes on Social Security benefits, providing an average tax savings of $1,845 for retirees.
- Analyzes the Motor Vehicle Registration Tax: Directs the Department of Public Safety to review our vehicle registration tax, comparing it to neighboring states, with recommendations due in 2026.
What This Means for You: - Relief for Retirees: By exempting Social Security benefits from state taxes, retirees will keep more of their savings.
- Lower Transportation Costs: Freezing the gas tax and repealing the delivery fee will make everyday essentials and travel more affordable.
- Greater Transparency: A thorough review of the vehicle registration tax ensures fairness and accountability in the future.
Next Steps: House File 5 is now under review by the House Taxes Committee. I’m optimistic about gaining bipartisan support and making Minnesota a more affordable and competitive place to live. Recent Committee Hearing DisruptionAlthough I am not a member of the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, I feel that it is important that I address an incident that occurred during their first meeting of the session this past Tuesday. A disruptive demonstration, which involved excessive profanity and the use of a bullhorn, derailed the committee's proceedings. This kind of behavior is not only disrespectful but undermines the very democratic process we were all elected to uphold. Our committees are meant to be safe spaces for constructive debate and respectful collaboration on important issues like public safety and community well-being. While I wholeheartedly respect the right to express differing opinions, it is important that this is done respectfully and in a manner that allows the legislative process to continue without interruption. This incident was especially disturbing because this committee hearing featured testimonies from MPPOA (Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association) officers, sheriffs, and police chiefs; this was their first opportunity to share their perspectives and have their voices heard, and that opportunity was sadly stolen from them. Disruptions like this detract from the important work we need to accomplish on behalf of all Minnesotans. I am committed to standing with my colleagues to maintain decorum in our proceedings and ensure that every voice is given the respect it deserves. I urge my colleagues and all involved to uphold the integrity of our institution and focus on finding solutions that serve our communities. My ultimate goal is to bring both sides of the aisle together to work for the people of Minnesota, keeping their needs at the forefront of everything we do. [You can view unedited footage of the demonstration here.] |