Hello,
Friends and neighbors,
We did the math, and we uncovered almost $10 BILLION in tax increases in the Democrat budget. Raising taxes at all is ludicrous, but doing it with a $17.5 billion surplus is an outrageous, tone-deaf, and selfish move that ignores the struggles Minnesotans face every day. The Democrat agenda will leave every Minnesotan with lighter wallets to fund their out-of-control spending habits. The Democrat budget is going to crush Minnesotan families.
Read more about the tax hikes here: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/eichorn-senate-gop-exposes-nearly-10-billion-in-tax-hikes-from-democrats-during-truth-in-taxation-event/
Environment bill puts government bureaucracy ahead of Minnesotans
On Thursday we passed an energy and environment budget bill that will impose costly, burdensome new regulations on Minnesotans and small businesses; grow government bureaucracy; and make life more expensive. Some improvements were made by Republican amendments to protect taxpayers, support Minnesota mining jobs, and modernize fishing and hunting licenses.
As the lead Republican on the environment committee, I worked hard to make their bill a little bit better. It was mostly beyond saving.
We have a long bipartisan tradition in this state of protecting and caring for the outdoors. Unfortunately, instead of prioritizing our amazing natural resources, Democrats created a bill that will hurt farmers, hurt families, and hurt small businesses, while empowering bureaucrats and government. It spends huge amounts of taxpayer dollars while making it harder for taxpayers across the state to enjoy our natural resources.
Read more about the bill here: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/senate-energy-and-environment-bill-imposes-expensive-regulations-grows-government-at-expense-of-minnesotans/
Nearly unanimous support for veterans bill
On Thursday we passed a veterans budget bill on nearly a unanimous vote to show our support for current military personnel and veterans in Minnesota.
Supporting Minnesota's veterans and military members goes beyond partisanship. Our brave service members put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and we must support them when they return home. They do so because they love their country and strive to make the world a better place, and it is the responsibility of all elected officials to recognize their commitment and service.
Bill highlights:
* Increase funding and eligibility for bonuses for members who served during the post-9/11 military era
* A one-time appropriation to honor service members on the fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War
* Funding for a Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley
* Continued funding for the three new veteran homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston, which the Legislature originally funded in 2018
* Provide enlistment and retention bonuses to incentivize retention and recruitment
* Fund grants for veteran participation in Camp Bliss – a program where eligible veterans would receive therapy, transportation, and activities specific to veterans and their family or caretakers
Contact me
If you have any questions or comments about the issues we are working on, please contact me anytime. My email is [email protected], or you can call me at 651-296-7079.
Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/SenatorJustinEichorn.
It is a privilege to serve you!
