The Democrat's spending has truly become out of control. Not only is our 18 Billion dollar surplus gone, but with Democrat proposed spending; taxes in this state are about to go up by billions of dollars. 

To be exact, our research has found a staggering 9.69 billion in tax increases. This is completely shocking and astonishingly insulting to the struggling members of our society trying to make ends meet. Skyrocketing gas prices, inflation affecting our grocery store purchases, and an increasingly tight job market causing everyday expenses to increase, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would agree our tax burden should increase. The agenda of the Democrat Party is poised to drain the bank accounts of every resident in Minnesota, all in the name of their reckless and unsustainable spending.

You will not be able to avoid these taxes. This is going to hit your pocket book at every turn. From paying for new tabs, making essential purchases, or even ordering packages online you will be paying more money just to live. 

Notable portions of the bill include:

• Allows 92% of the prison population eligible for early release through Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA).
• Funding for controversial gun control measures like red flag laws and background checks.
• Reduction of the maximum penalty for juveniles tried as an adult from 25 years to as little as 15 years.
• $91 million to untested nonprofit organizations.

The Democrats’ Public Safety budget continues an all too familiar pattern of ignoring our state’s surge in violent crime. With many Minnesotans no longer feeling safe in their communities, it is simply the wrong approach to make thousands of serious offenders eligible for early release. This legislation fails to address our real public safety problems, and instead, funnels millions of taxpayer dollars to unproven nonprofits.

The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA) reduces incarceration time to half the sentence, retroactively affecting around 7,400 prisoners. Excluding only life sentences, criminals convicted of serious crimes may be released significantly earlier than promised to victims, who may not be informed. Juveniles tried as adults will also see a reduction in maximum penalties, from 25 to 15 years. The bill offers no aid to law enforcement, which is struggling to find qualified personnel due to retirements and the Defund movement.

The most controversial part of the elections bill is a taskforce to study Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Originally, the proposal was to move all state elections to RCV, However, after a study by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota largely debunked the claims that RCV reduces negativity and partisanship and increases candidate diversity and voter participation, the provision has been reduced to a task force. 

I have great concern about the budget bill's weak residency requirements for legislative candidates, with little verification in place. Additionally, I am worried about a change to establish permanent early voting, which requires more staff and security measures. The bill also puts restrictions on political names, logos, and slogans at polling places, contradicting a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. This bill makes Minnesota's elections weaker, riskier, and less trustworthy, going against the tradition of bipartisan support for election law changes. Efforts should prioritize safe, secure, transparent, and accessible elections.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me for help with any state issue or legislative initiative: [email protected] or at (651) 296-3219.

Senator Calvin Bahr

Minnesota Senate, District 31

Choose Freedom,