Senate Republican Priorities will Advance Minnesota in 2018
At this time last year, I made it clear what my priorities would be for the 2017 legislative session: passing emergency health care aid; delivering tax relief targeted to working families, students, and seniors collecting Social Security income, and more; and finally delivering long-term investments to rebuild roads and bridges – without raising gas taxes.
We got the job done on each of those promises. So when I tell you about our 2018 Advancing Minnesota agenda, you can be sure these are ideas I take seriously, and that I am not just telling you what you want to hear.
Since last session ended, I have traveled the district listening to your concerns. I have received countless calls, emails, letters, and social media messages. Your outpouring of feedback has been clear – you want the legislature to focus on issues that have a direct impact on helping you and your family. That is what our agenda is all about; it is an agenda that cares about Minnesota families.
Our top priority will be updating our state tax laws to protect Minnesotans’ wages. The federal Trump Tax Cut will help most families, but if we do not fix our outdated state tax code, some Minnesotans could inadvertently end up paying more. In fact, according to reports, families and small business could end up overpaying by $459 million this biennium due to our obsolete state tax laws.
This is a unique opportunity to really simplify our tax code, help you keep more of what you earn, and make sure Minnesota remains competitive for years to come.
In the wake of the tragic events in Parkland, school safety is on everybody’s mind. Minnesota is already ahead of the curve in many respects; school districts can take advantage of a special levy specifically dedicated to school safety improvements. In 2018 we will do more – one idea that is ready to go focuses on freeing up additional resources for districts to add additional security improvements and infrastructure. We will act quickly to guarantee our kids are safe when they go to school.
Minnesota’s new system for licensing and registering vehicle titles (MNLARS) has been a disaster ever since it was rolled out last summer. Minnesota has spent nearly $100 million during its decade of development, yet it been plagued with problems and there are no signs of improvement. The governor’s administration has demanded another $43 million to get it turned around, but has offered no assurances or specifics that they know how to fix it. Worse, new reports show officials in charge of the system were aware it was not ready, yet they rolled it out anyway. These failures are not acceptable.
I have been in regular contact with auto dealers, deputy registrars, and frustrated customers about their terrible experiences with the system. We will keep the pressure on the administration until they clean up their mess.
These are just a few examples of our 2018 priorities. Just like last year, our 2018 Advancing Minnesota agenda focuses on things that will benefit your family. Over the last several months, I have listened carefully to comments and questions from constituents in every corner of my district about what we need to address this session. Your concerns are what shaped this agenda – protecting Minnesotan’s wages, cleaning up the DMV mess, and guaranteeing our loved ones will be safe at school. This is an agenda that cares about Minnesota families at all stages of life.
For more information about what we plan to do in 2018, please visit www.mnsenaterepublicans.com.