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Legislative Update

Friends and Neighbors,

Independence Day is coming, a day we celebrate American history and courage. Our nation was founded by people who were willing to wage war for their freedom and liberty, putting everything on the line so that their children and fellow countrymen would inherit a better world. I want to take this time of remembrance to share with you an update on events related to the Legislature.

Delivery Tax

This past legislative session the DFL passed another tax bill, which went into effect on July 1^st. The bill is called the Delivery Tax, and others have cleverly called it the Amazon fee. It levies a tax on consumers when they buy certain goods from online retailers. The tax targets clothing, toys, household supplies, and other basic items – goods that Minnesotan families need, and that lower income families already have a challenge purchasing with such high inflation.

Legislative Update

I recently participated in a legislative update at the Morrison County Government Center, where I gave a rundown of what happened during the 2024 legislative session.

Folks were rightly frustrated by the end of the 2024 session, which ended in chaos. At the eleventh hour, the DFL forced a vote on a bill that no one could even read. Later we learned the bill included several highly controversial provisions which were unlikely to pass on their own. During the legislative update on June 25, I explained that

“You pass a massive piece of legislation with huge implications for many sections of the state. And no one, not the speaker of the house, not the senate majority leader and certainly not any one of us had a chance to see that bill… So we have to restore the public trust and know that, especially for us in Central Minnesota… it has felt as though only half of Minnesota is represented.”

Aside from discussing the chaotic end to the session, the public also asked about other noteworthy topics. My fellow members and I discussed some achievements, like changes to the tax code and fixes to the school resource officer program. We also, when prompted with questions by the public, discussed everything from law enforcement and illegal immigration to public waterways and small businesses:

• The DFL spent our tax dollars on benefits for people here illegally, including
  • Free college.
  • Welfare benefits.
  • Driver’s licenses.
  • Legal services.
• Burglary scandal by Democratic State Senator Nicole Mitchell.
• The DFL continued to demonize law enforcement during the legislative session, driving division which impacts the safety of communities across our state.
• The unequal rights amendment would have enshrined the most extreme abortion policy in the world into our state’s Constitution.
• Updates to the public water inventory. The changes made this session could create uncertainty and challenges for farmers and the management of their private property.

Childcare Draft Proposal

The Walz administration proposed new rules and mandates for Family Childcare Providers. These rules are unfair because they specifically target Family Childcare Providers but not childcare centers or school-based systems. This would make it more difficult and costly for Family Childcare Providers to do business – a cost which may get passed onto young families. The result of these policies will be fewer choices and less access to childcare, especially in rural communities like ours.

Happy Independence Day!

Stay Up-to-Date

Follow me on Twitter @ImSchultz and check out my official Facebook Page for daily updates on the important issues at the capitol.

201 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.6746