Hello,

Quick update this week as we are entering the final days of session.

WHERE THINGS STAND

We still have several budget bills left to complete before we are required to adjourn on Monday night at midnight. Democrats are running all these budget bills and have completely cut out Republican input. In fact, most bills are being agreed to behind closed doors, without any public input. It’s bad governing and it is bad for the state of Minnesota.

MY PRIORITIES FOR THE END OF SESSION

* Tax relief: we have a $19 billion surplus. Instead of proposing any tax relief, Democrats are seeking about $10 billion in tax hikes. It’s asinine. As we work with Democrats on a deal to wrap up session, I will be advocating for more money going back to the people who built the surplus.
* Nursing homes: our nursing homes are in crisis. Homes across the state are facing emergency staffing shortages and being forced to close their doors. Democrats included almost no funding for nursing homes in their budget. I am pushing to provide the funding these folks need to keep taking care of our loved ones.
* Bonding: Until this year, bonding bills have always been bipartisan. Unfortunately, Democrats have refused to work with us, and are threatening to move forward on a bill that completely eliminates projects in Republican districts. I will continue trying to find some middle ground where we can get an agreement on a real, bipartisan bonding bill that meets the needs of Minnesotans.

DEMOCRATS PROPOSE GAS TAX INCREASE

Democrats are proposing about $10 billion in tax increases throughout their budget. But in recent days, Democrats added a new one to the mix: a gas tax increase. This isn’t merely a discussion topic. Democrat leaders acknowledged they will likely include a gas tax increase tied to inflation AND a new tax on deliveries from places like Walmart and Amazon in their final budget.

I don’t think I need to tell you how unpopular this is, but it’s even more ludicrous with a $19 billion surplus. Minnesota families are going to be begging for mercy from the Democrat trifecta.

BUDGET BILLS WE HAVE PASSED RECENTLY

Here is a sampling of some of the budget bills we have passed recently, and our concerns about them:

* The energy and environment budget agreement raises costs for Minnesotans, increases government bureaucracy. As the Republican lead on the environment committee, this was particularly discouraging. The process was shrouded in secrecy and the final result was incredibly disappointing.
* The Jobs and labor budget’s burdensome mandates and tax increases will significantly increase costs for Minnesotans, mom-and-pop businesses.
* The Democrats’ Commerce budget agreement fails to lower costs for Minnesota consumers.
* The Democrats’ education budget fails Minnesota students.

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!