Legislative Update from Rep. Bernie Perryman

Dear Neighbors,

Things have been busy lately with the new legislative session beginning next week on February 12.

This week, I attended the Stearns County Commissioners meeting (photo at left), with other legislators. We heard their 2023 recap and 2024 requests.

Last year, the legislature passed a full budget and the state is funded for the next two years. Democrats last session passed a state budget that:

• spent down the entire $17.5 billion surplus
• raised taxes by another $10 billion, and
• grew government by 40 percent.

The upcoming session will largely be bills to fix last year's mistakes, policy bills, and potentially a capital investment bill.

The taxing and spending last year created an unsustainable budget, and if we do nothing about that, next biennium we will see a state deficit. There was also a $400 million error in the tax bill that needs to be fixed immediately once session starts.

Another fix that needs to be addressed right away in session is the school resource officers issue. Instead of immediately calling a special session to fix the problem, Democrats have left the issue unresolved, resulting in many schools losing their SROs.

This session, we need to eliminate wasteful spending and provide tax relief to Minnesotans. You may have also heard about the Democrats' $730 million State Office Building renovation that broke ground recently. This could have been done in a much more cost-effective way, but unfortunately the majority rejected every alternative and are well on their way to creating a palace for politicians that has already gotten more expensive in recent months. I am upset by this waste of money, especially since so many families are trimming their budgets to make ends meet. My desire this session is that we make wise fiscal decisions to put Minnesota on a better track moving forward.

A bill has come up for a committee hearing recently to legalize assisted suicide. The bill currently restricts assisted suicide to those aged 18 and over, but the Legislature has a history of expanding minors' right to consent to healthcare procedures. This history combined with this bill opens the door to how much the bill could be expanded if passed. I have heard from some who are taken aback by Democrats seemingly prioritizing new ways for Minnesotans to end life, first through the most expansive abortion bill in the country and now through assisted suicide. I've heard from many constituents who oppose this bill already. I am also against this bill, and will make the voice of our district heard as the bill moves through committees and eventually to the House floor. If you have thoughts or concerns about this bill, please don't hesitate to contact me.