Legislative Update from Rep. Peggy Scott

Dear Friends,

January 1^st marks the beginning of a new year, as well as the implementation date of several new laws passed during the 2023 legislative session. Remember: With a $17.5 billion surplus, Democrats raised taxes by $10 billion dollars and spent your surplus tax dollars on expanding government by 40%. Republicans warned that this reckless spending spree would put our state in a precarious financial position, and we were proven right last week when the new state budget forecast showed a $2.3 billion deficit in the next biennium.

Many of the new laws that will take effect in 2024 reflect the Democrats’ one-sided, expensive, and extreme policies. Some of the key laws that will take effect on January 1 include:

• Earned Sick and Safe Time. Though different from the expensive and expansive Paid Medical and Family Leave bill that also passed last session, the changes to earned sick and safe time will greatly impact our job creators and workers. The law will require all employers to offer full paid time off, and it applies to any employers with one or more employees. It covers all employees, including part-time and temporary workers. The Department of Labor and Industry has put together a helpful FAQ page for any job creators who still have questions about this new law.
• Menstrual Products for Schools. All students in public or charter schools will now have access to free menstrual products in bathrooms. These products must be available for all students in grades 4 to 12.
• Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Increases. Among many of the changes to Minnesota’s election laws that Democrats passed last session is an increase to the PCR program. The individual political contribution refund will increase from $50 to $75, and joint married filers will have an increase of $100 to $150. These increased refunds will be applicable to any donations made after January 1, 2024.
• Specialty License Plates Available. For one of the more fun things that passed last session, you will be able to show your support for Minnesota’s six professional sports teams with your license plate. Options include the Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx, and United.

You can learn about other laws that will take effect in the new year here. These changes clearly show the impact of one-party, Democrat control of our state. We need to put family budgets, not government’s budget, first. St. Paul is in desperate need of balance and commonsense to put our state back on track.