Friends and neighbors –
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.
I am extremely disappointed with the governor’s budget proposal. Given the current surplus of $17.6 billion, there is simply no justification for increasing taxes. The governor’s proposal seems to be completely out of touch with the reality faced by many individuals in our community. They are currently grappling with the high costs of inflation, as well as the expenses associated with necessities such as gas, groceries, and energy bills. It is our duty to ease some of this stress by returning the surplus to the taxpayers who created it.
Abortion Bills 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 is much, much worse.
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. It is a wholesale disregard for the sanctity of life.
I have been hearing from a lot of you about these bills, and it is clear from your feedback that this is not what you expected when Democrats took control of the House and Senate. I’ll fight these bills as hard as I can, but you can help make your voice known by calling Gov. Walz and legislators to let them know what you think.
Carbon-Free” mandate passes Senate Energy Committee
The Senate’s energy committee took two days this week to review the massive carbon-free mandate bill. The bill will require Minnesota’s electric utilities to generate 100% of their energy from renewable sources by 2040 – but only solar, wind, hydroelectric, hydrogen, and biomass count. Nuclear is excluded.
My friend and colleague Senator Koran did a great job of explaining the main concerns:
- First, it is extremely expensive. According to the nonpartisan think tank Center of the American Experiment, it will cost you an average of $1,640 on your electric bill every single year. It will hit folks outside the metro especially hard, where many are already paying much higher energy prices relative to their income.
- Second, without nuclear, it is not a serious effort to be carbon-free. If you want a carbon-free society, nuclear must be part of the mix. This is not negotiable. It is the only renewable source that can make carbon-free work.
- Third, it will put our electric grid at serious risk of collapse. There is a reason it is called the Minnesota Blackout bill. When the polar vortex hit a couple of years ago, our grid was minutes away from collapsing. Renewable sources alone will not be sufficient if something similar happens. We need dependable power when temperatures dip below zero (as they often do in Minnesota).
Looking Ahead
Legislative session will continue to ramp up with many of these big bills making it through the committee process and coming to the Senate floor. If you have any questions regarding these bills, or any legislative issues, please feel free to reach out to the office.
Sincerely,
Deputy Minority Leader
Senate District 19