The first month of session is behind us, and the action has been fast and furious. It would be one thing if much of this action centered on addressing our $18 billion budget surplus and providing tax cuts and tax relief to struggling Minnesotans, but that is...
Recently Minnesota House Democrats approved legislation on the House floor that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain the same driver’s license that Minnesota’s residents receive if they choose not to apply for a Real ID or enhanced driver’s...
Recently the Minnesota House of Representatives approved tax conformity legislation that aligns Minnesota’s tax system with tax changes that have been made at the federal level. This is good news. At times, the federal government passes tax laws that are...
St. Paul - Minnesota's 2023 Legislative Session officially began January 3 with John Petersburg (R-Waseca) and 133 other state representatives being sworn into office during a ceremony at the State Capitol. "It’s truly an honor to serve the residents of Waseca...
QUIET END TO 2022 SESSION COULD BE POSITIVE FOR NEXT YEAR The 2022 legislative session is now in the books. Though some might be discouraged that lawmakers did not give a specific direction to our projected state surplus, I am not among them. Sure, I am...
The legislative deadline for bills to be heard and move forward has passed, and numerous bills that would actually make our communities safer have been ignored by the Minnesota House Democrat majority. Preventing crime is near the top of lawmakers’ priority...
DON’T LET AVIAN FLU STOP YOU FROM EAITING CHICKEN AND TURKEY Many of you remember an avian flu outbreak in 2015. Because this flu was so contagious to turkeys and chickens, the outbreak ultimately caused the death of 9 million birds throughout our state. As you...
The first major date of legislative importance has come and gone. The first committee deadline in both branches of the legislature was March 25. This was the day that committees in each legislative body had to act favorably on bills within the house of origin....
If you provide a job to someone in our area, prepare to see your taxes jump by 15% or more. Minnesota needs to replenish its current deficit in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund by more than $1 billion. We have $9.3 billion in available state surplus...
Lawmakers returned to St. Paul understanding they would be making decisions on how to allocate a record state budget surplus. On February 28, the surplus record was broken again. In their latest economic forecast, Minnesota’s economic experts project a $9.3...