Friends and neighbors,
Last year, Minnesota Democrats had a $19 billion budget surplus and the opportunity to help families struggling with inflation. Instead, they spent the entire surplus, increased government spending by 40%, raised taxes by $10 billion, and broke their promises to provide Minnesotans with tax relief. Now Minnesota faces a budget deficit from their reckless overspending.
So how do we repair Minnesota after all this? With bipartisan common sense. That is what I will advocate in 2024.
This year’s bonding bill: In this bonding year, infrastructure investments should focus on broadly-supported needs – things like clean water and safe transportation infrastructure. I will not support maxing out the taxpayers’ credit card for wishlist projects or unproven nonprofits, but there are serious urgent needs that must be addressed. Democrats will write the bill, but I will urge them to work across the aisle with Republicans to pass a reasonable, bipartisan bonding bill.
No tax increases: We can’t go back to overburdened families and ask them to pay more, especially after what happened last session. So we must agree: no new taxes or fees, and we should repeal Democrat proposals to tax gas and home deliveries before they start. These ideas will just inflict more pain on Minnesota families. Runaway spending must be reined in through bipartisan fiscal responsibility.
Sanctuary State proposal: We must also oppose the proposal to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. America is in the midst of a full-blown crisis on the border, and there has been a surge of migrants to Minnesota. This bill would further overwhelm our already-strained services and hinder efforts to fight violent crime and fraud.
Education funding: For several years of divided government, Republicans and Democrats worked together to approve historic investments in education funding. Last year, unfortunately, Democrats paired funding increases with massive mandates that have virtually cancelled the new money that schools received. Now school districts across the state are facing budget crunches, with many weighing the possibility of property tax increases or further painful cuts to make up the difference. I support repealing last session’s expensive mandates so schools can make their own decisions on what is best for their students and staff.
School Resource Officers: School resource officers play an invaluable role in our schools. We are grateful for all they do, and I will keep advocating to repeal last year’s poorly-written SRO law so we can get SROs across the state back into schools right away. There is too much at risk to wait any longer.
The new flag: Democrats empowered an unelected panel to select a new flag, with few options for Minnesotans to have their voices heard, and left no avenue for the legislature to approve or appeal the choices. The process was flawed through and through. Polls show 70% of Minnesotans oppose the new flag, and the feedback I have received has been just as overwhelming. I will continue to fight to make sure you are able to have your voice heard and, hopefully, stop the new flag.
Local charities: A shortsighted change Democrats made to e-pulltabs last year threatens the very survival of local charities across Minnesota. These are youth sports groups, VFWs, American Legions, and other hospitality businesses. We need bipartisan efforts to reverse last year’s change and protect our local charities.
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@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5019.
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It is a privilege to serve you!