Friends and neighbors:
I have written before about anti-life bills moving in the Senate. On Friday, January 27, Senate Democrats passed the first in a series of extreme abortion bills. It is called the PRO Act, or “Protect Reproductive Options.” They claim it is putting Roe v. Wade in state statute, but it’s actually far more extreme
It allows abortions with zero restrictions. Third-trimester abortions. Partial-birth abortions. Abortions up to the moment of birth. Sterilizations for minors without parental involvement. Zero protections for babies in the womb.
These are sickening, heartbreaking bills that disregard the sanctity of life. I will fight them with everything I have.
Gov. Walz’s budget increases spending by 25% and raises taxes
On Tuesday Gov. Walz released the details of his budget proposal. His budget would be the biggest we have ever had by a large margin. He spends the entirety of the state’s record $17.6 billion surplus, increases spending by $25%, and even raises taxes by more than $2 billion.
There’s no elimination of the Social Security benefits tax. He legalizes recreational pot. He repeals laws that protect women like Woman’s Right to Know and Positive Alternatives. He even raises license tab fees.
The governor’s proposed budget is absurd. Despite a record surplus, he still suggests multiple punishing tax hikes and he increases spending by 25% – that brings our total state budget to an astronomical $65 billion. Right now our budget is $52 billion, and barely a decade ago it was in the $34 billion range. This reckless budgeting is unacceptable. We have a responsibility to return the $17.6 billion to the taxpayers who helped create it, especially since so many of them are facing a lot of financial stress due to inflation.
Sincerely,