Legislative Update
Neighbors and Friends,
This session, there is no normal in St. Paul. The drama and pace of session continues to amaze and fluctuate.
Honestly, I have been dismayed at the immaturity and unprofessionalism that has transpired thus far. I’m not naïve about partisanship, but it has been surprising how some members have responded to the new political reality. We should always be able to discuss ideas and policy differences in a professional manner and listen to new ideas. Maybe the luck of the Irish will help the rest of session?
With the recent Roseville special election, the Minnesota House is now officially tied at 67-67, bringing significant changes to how we operate. Remember, at least 68 votes are needed to pass a bill out of the House.
Committees will now have equal party membership, and committee chairs will alternate. This will require significant bipartisan agreement to advance legislation to the House Floor.
With the three-week boycott and challenging mindsets, I am concerned about being able to pass a budget on time. I hope I’m wrong and will do my best to fulfill my assigned responsibilities because Minnesotans deserve 100% effort.
Making Minnesota’s Tax Code More Simple
Tax laws should be clear and predictable, but many industries like landscaping and land clearing face unnecessary complexity. I authored and had a bill hearing this week on HF 952, which Exempts Land Clearing from Sales Tax and clarifies sales tax on equipment used. This bill removes an unfair tax burden on essential site work for new developments and additions.
Businesses shouldn’t need a tax lawyer just to figure out if they owe sales tax—this bill brings common sense back to the system. I am optimistic our overall tax bill, like my bill, will also reduce taxes and regulations.
Taxpayer Rainy-Day Refund: Giving Surplus Money Back
Minnesotans work hard and when the state runs a surplus, well above current spending, that extra revenue should be returned to the people who created the surplus.
I support and co-authored HF 4, which proposes a constitutional amendment that triggers a refund of surpluses exceeding 105% of expenditures. Instead of finding new ways to spend or waste, this measure would ensure tax relief goes directly to Minnesotans through income tax or property tax refunds. The Taxpayer refund would be AFTER current spending is met and the required state rainy-day fund is set aside. This would be the taxpayer’s rainy-day refund! Only Minnesotans with income or property tax liability would be eligible for what they paid in or owed.
Protecting Road Projects from Costly Mandates
I’m leading an important fight against reckless regulations that are driving up the cost of critical transportation projects. New emissions and vehicle miles traveled mandates are forcing expensive mitigations—or worse, making some road and bridge projects impossible to construct altogether. My bill, HF 748 received a hearing and will:
- Prioritize Safety & Mobility – Roads should be built based on need, not complex or arbitrary standards that have not been proven and policy that is still not defined.
- Stop Expensive, Unnecessary Mandates – Prevent local cities and counties from being forced to pay for costly mitigation measures that increase project cost by 20-40% and are not proven to reduce environmental impacts.
- Protect Federal Dollars – Ensure important infrastructure projects with partial Federal support are not unfairly delayed, canceled, or cost-inflated.
Minnesota communities deserve safe, well-maintained roads, not over-prescriptive bureaucratic delays in favor of more light rails and bike lanes.
Meet T.C., our office intern. She is a Political Science major at Bethel University. She has been a big help this year and is loving being a part of the work at the Capitol!
Thanks, T.C.!
It has been an intense workload so far, but I hope to see some of you around town soon. Thanks for the emails and notes of support. I’ll keep working hard for you!
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