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Dear Neighbors,
It?s been a busy summer as I have been spending time meeting with folks around the district to share what happened during the 2023 legislative session and to listen to the priorities of you, your family, and our communities. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to meet with me so far this summer!
This year, Democrats voted to raise taxes on all Minnesotans by nearly $10 billion despite a $17.5 billion budget surplus. All year long, I fought against these unnecessary increases and instead was pushing to return the surplus to you through historic tax relief.
Unfortunately, Democrats refused to join us in this effort and instead elected to spend the entire surplus and raise your taxes by nearly $10 billion to pay for their spending spree.
Some of these tax increases are set to take effect as soon as July 1. Here are some of the new?transportation-related?expenses you can expect to face in the next year-plus:
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Vehicle Tab Increases:?The average driver will see a 36% increase in tab fee costs over the first 11 years of owning the vehicle, but some years will see a 50% increase.
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Filing Fee increases:?Filing fees will increase to $8 on every vehicle registration renewal, excluding pro-rate transactions.?
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Delivery Fee on retail deliveries over $100: Over $189 million over four years is expected to be collected from Minnesotans who shop from home thanks to this new tax. The tax will be applied to deliveries over $100.?
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$6 Fee Increase for Driver licenses:?This is effective July 1, 2023, and applies to applications made on or after that date.
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Gas Tax Automatic Increases for Inflation: The expected gas tax hike beginning January 1, 2024, is 5 cents over four years. In total, drivers will pay $423 million over four years.
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Auto Parts Sales tax changes: This 0.75% increase in the 7-county Metro Sales Tax for Transportation will see 83% of funds go toward Metro Transit funding and 17% will be sent to Metro Counties for local road projects.?
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Increase in Motor Vehicle Sales Tax from 6.5% to 6.875%:?This change will give Minnesota the 5th highest Vehicle sales tax rate in the U.S. This section is effective for sales and purchases made on or after July 1, 2023.
Reminder, these tax increases apply to only?transportation-related?matters. Across the entirety of the state budget, many other increases will impact you and your family.
Happy Independence Day!
 We are blessed to live in the land of the free because of the brave men and women that founded, fought for, and defended our great nation.
This Fourth of July season I encourage you to reflect on the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy as Americans.?
The Declaration of Independence states, ?We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."
Now, more than ever, we need to think about the meaning of those sacred words and live them out in our daily lives.
As we pause as a nation to celebrate our independence, please take a moment to remember those words and keep those eternal truths in mind this holiday season.
Happy Independence Day and God Bless!
Jeff
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