Dear Neighbor, 

Summer is a busy season across our communities, and I've enjoyed spending time throughout the district meeting with residents, attending local events, and visiting businesses and organizations that help make Minnesota such a great place to live and work. Staying connected with the people I represent is one of the most important parts of this job. The conversations taking place in our communities today help inform the decisions that will be made in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read this week's update. I hope you'll continue to reach out with your questions, concerns, and ideas. 

Another important affordability issue we addressed this session was the cost of vehicle registration taxes, commonly known as license tab fees. Over the past several years, many Minnesotans have seen these costs rise significantly, creating yet another financial burden for families already dealing with higher prices for housing, groceries, energy, insurance, and other everyday expenses. 

In 2023, Democrats passed a transportation package that increased taxes and fees by an estimated $3.5 billion over four years. The package included automatic annual increases to the gas tax, higher vehicle registration taxes, an increase in the motor vehicle sales tax, a new retail delivery fee, and a metro-area sales tax increase for transit. While these changes generated additional revenue for government, many Minnesotans were left paying more every time they renewed their vehicle registration. 

This year, we made vehicle registration tax relief a priority. We heard from countless constituents who were frustrated by rapidly increasing tab fees and concerned about the impact on household budgets. As part of the final transportation agreement, we secured meaningful license tab fee relief that will reduce costs for vehicle owners and provide some welcome financial relief for Minnesota families. 

Importantly, we were able to accomplish this without abandoning our commitment to maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure. Even while providing relief to taxpayers, the final budget still includes substantial investments in roads and bridges across the state. The agreement provides $176 million for transportation and bridge projects, including $47 million dedicated to local roads and $25 million for local bridge improvements. 

I believe this approach reflects the right balance. Minnesotans deserve safe roads, reliable bridges, and strong transportation infrastructure, but they also deserve relief from rising taxes and fees. Too often, the conversation at the Capitol focuses on how much more government can collect from taxpayers. This year, we demonstrated that it is possible to invest in critical infrastructure while also returning some money to the hardworking people who pay the bills. 

The license tab fee relief secured this session will not solve every affordability challenge facing Minnesota families, but it is another step in the right direction. Going forward, I will continue supporting policies that keep transportation investments strong while ensuring taxpayers are treated as partners, not simply a source of ever-increasing revenue. 

Now that the legislative session is over, we have entered the interim period, when much of our work shifts away from daily activity at the Capitol and back into our districts through meetings, community events, and constituent outreach. 

I want to make you aware of an important restriction that applies in even-numbered years. We are limited in sending unsolicited mass communications from our official capacity as legislators during the 60-day period before a general election. Because of that requirement, I will no longer be able to send these official email updates beginning July 17th. 

During that time, I plan to continue sharing updates primarily through my Facebook page, and you are always welcome to contact me directly by email or phone with any questions, concerns, or ideas. It is an honor to serve our communities, and I look forward to staying connected throughout the interim. 

Coffee with Tom will be at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 19th from 12:00pm –1:00pm. Note: The Waseca Chamber of Commerce will be closed today, June 12th, 2026, so we rescheduled to the following Friday. 

Thank you for your support and feedback, and please reach out if you need assistance in the meantime!