New Laws for the New Year

The new year is quickly approaching and along with remembering to write a ?4? at the end of the date are a number of new laws that take effect on January 1^st. Unfortunately, these laws will make Minnesotans? lives even more expensive with increased transportation costs and a new Earned Sick and Safe Time mandate.

These transportation increases include both an increase in vehicle registration fees and an inflator that ties the gas tax to inflation. The next time you pick up new tabs at a DVS station or renew online the formula will result in higher prices, especially in the first few years of a vehicle?s life. In total, this will cost Minnesotans an additional 788 million dollars over the next four years. That price tag doesn?t even include the motor vehicle sales tax increase that has already raised prices in Minnesota.

Transportation costs will also continue to rise every year thanks to legislation that ties the gas tax to inflation. Now the gas tax will increase every year automatically based on the rate of inflation without any input from the legislature. Over the next four years, this will lead to $423 million in added costs at the gas pump and will continue to increase in the years to follow. These added transportation costs aren?t the only new laws that will be taking a chunk out of Minnesotans' wallets.

The implementation of the Earned Sick and Safe Time mandate will lead to many businesses adjusting their payroll to fund this progressive policy. Next year this mandate with a 2.9 billion dollar price tag goes into effect. This one-size-fits-all policy for sick leave on all Minnesota businesses and any company that does not meet or exceed these benchmarks will incur the costs of bringing their policy up to the new standard.

While the new year will bring with it many new expenses there are also many things I am looking forward to. As has been announced, the coming session will be my last in the Minnesota House and I am looking forward to finishing out the term strong. My years in Saint Paul have been a great learning experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to serve the people of Minnesota.

As we approach the joyous season of Christmas, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in District 22B. May the holiday season bring you and your loved ones an abundance of joy, good health, and cherished memories. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

New Laws for the New Year

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