Great to see a number of people from District 11A continue coming to my office to discuss a variety of issues. Our communities had great representation from Cloquet & Moose Lake this week with the Minnesota Medical Association's annual day at the Capitol. Also, thank you to Greg Bernu, Land Commissioner for Carlton County as well as our friends from Lake County for stopping by and saying, "hello" and answering the questions I had.
Dear Neighbor,
I’m pleased to say I am the chief author of H.F. 516 to fully repeal the state tax on Social Security, providing some breathing room for seniors – particularly those on fixed incomes.
Minnesota is one of just 12 states that still tax social security benefits. With a $17.6 billion state budget surplus, and price increases straining family budgets, the time is right for a full repeal.
This is a crucial issue in our region, where we have an aging community and price increases in today’s economy make it challenging to simply heat your home and put food on the table. These dollars already were taxed once, so why is our state taxing them a second time?
Eliminating this tax is not only the right thing to do, it also would be something of a thank-you to the people whose hard-earned dollars laid the foundation for us to enjoy the fruits of their labor today. If we can’t get this done at a time the state has around $18 billion in surplus revenue, will we ever?
A full Social Security tax repeal would benefit an estimated 473,000 people with an average tax savings of $1,276. In contrast, Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal doesn’t fully repeal the state Social Security tax, with only 43% of Minnesotans receiving some form of relief – on average, $278 per household.
Minnesota’s tax structure is unfriendly to retirees. Reports indicate Minnesota loses way more domestic residents to other states than it gains. Business and personal finance publisher Kiplinger lists Minnesota among its “not tax-friendly” states for retirees, indicating, “The North Star State offers cold comfort on the tax front to retirees.”
It’s no secret winters are tough in Minnesota and, during the most bitter cold snaps, we sometimes can’t help but ask ourselves why on Earth we choose to live here. While there always will be snowbirds flocking to warmer states – or even permanently relocating there – our state can’t afford to have bad policies causing additional incentive for people to migrate. Our tax structure is one thing we need to improve in that regard.
Democrats signaled they were all-in for a repeal of the Social Security tax last fall but now, more than a month in to the 2023 session, bills related to this subject have remained on the back burner in the House.
Gun-control bills
Second Amendment supporters should be on notice regarding gun-control bills House Democrats are moving through the committee process in an attempt to add unprecedented restrictions into state law. This includes:
- HF 14: Universal Background Checks (aka, Universal Gun Registration): Criminal background checks required for firearm transfers, and grounds modified for disqualification of transferee permit.
- HF 15: Red Flag Gun Confiscation Orders: Law enforcement and family members enabled to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others by possessing a firearm, and money appropriated.
- HF 396: Safe storage of firearms and ammunition required, locking device required to be included in each firearm transfer, and criminal penalties imposed.
- HF 601: Lost and stolen firearms required to be reported promptly to law enforcement.
The Second Amendment is something people in our area take very seriously and it is important to read these bills and understand what is on the line. I have concerns with each of these bills and do not support them. To the contrary, I am championing a Stand Your Ground bill (H.F. 356) and another bill (H.F. 664) which proposes a constitutional amendment in our state protecting of the right of people to keep and bear arms.
Watch for more news from the House soon and, as always, let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Jeff