Friends and neighbors,
This week Democrats unveiled their budget framework for the year. Here are the highlights (or lowlights)
- It spends the entire surplus – $17.9 billion
- It increases government spending by 30%
- The total general fund budget would be a staggering $70 billion. (For comparison, it has roughly doubled in the last decade)
- They are allotting $3 billion for taxes, but most of that will be in the form of local government aid or other credits. Very little of it will be heading into your pockets.
- The bill raises billions in taxes, including a $1.7 billion paid leave mandate.
I am strongly, strongly opposed to their budget framework.
People are desperate for relief. It is the number one thing I get calls and emails about. Yet the Democrats’ plan spends the entire surplus and provides virtually zero tax relief — and most of what they do have is local government aid, not money that is going back in your pocket.
It is the wrong direction for Minnesota.
Funding for local roads and bridges
This week the Senate Transportation Committee reviewed several Republican bills that would address the state’s transportation needs, especially funding for roads and bridges.
Minnesota’s projected to have a huge shortfall in transportation funding over next couple of decades. We can’t afford to wait any longer to start addressing those needs. These bills are aimed and tackling some of the most pressing challenges our state is dealing with in transportation right now.
Here are the bills:
- Senate File 795 allocates 100% of the existing tax on auto parts sales and car repairs to roads and bridges, with dedicated funding for small cities and townships for the first time ever. Republicans previously were successful in dedicating a portion of the tax to roads and bridges; this bill builds on that success.
- Senate File 2922 provides $30 million each for small cities’ and townships’ road and bridge needs
- Senate File 2767 prohibits funding in the state’s Highway User Tax Distribution funding for being used for non-highway purposes.
- Senate File 1345 requires a complete analysis of all proposed rail guideways, including full costs and benefits, a full list of alternatives, and environmental impacts.
Contact me
Your feedback, ideas, and concerns are what allow me to serve you to the best of my ability. Please share your thoughts with me any time at sen.bill.lieske@senate.mn or 651-296-5101.
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It is a privilege to serve you!