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Mekeland




Dear Neighbor,

Democrats in St. Paul recently announced they want to spend half a billion more tax dollars on state government even though our state government is fully funded through the current biennium.

These are the same Democrats in St. Paul who not even one year ago spent the $18 billion surplus and raised taxes by $10 billion to increase state spending by an astronomical 40 percent.

And now they are back at it, looking to spend even more even though we face a deficit in the next two-year cycle. This time, Democrat legislators and the governor reached an agreement to spend at least $512.5 million more in 2024-25.

This is irresponsible, unaffordable and needs to stop. The Democrats in full control of the Capitol are ignoring our future deficit and turning a blind eye to warnings from state officials to be cautious when budgeting. Instead of getting spending under control they are going the complete opposite direction by increasing spending at an even more unsustainable pace.

But, wait, it gets worse: Even with half a billion in new spending, they continue failing to fully fund the critical needs of our emergency medical services across the state. Providers are struggling under the current ?fee-for-service? model, which has left rural areas of the state with decreasing access to ambulances and other EMS options.

They continue sending our state budget into orbit by throw money at pet projects and political allies at the expense of core functions of government such as public safety.

*Public land transfers*

I am hearing significant concern regarding what?s becoming a trend with state land being transferred to tribal interests. These plots are not in our immediate area, but I raise this subject to bring awareness to the larger issue at hand. Last month, state land in the southwest part of the state officially [ [link removed] ] was ceded. Similar movements are taking place at White Earth State Forest [ [link removed] ] and Upper Red Lake [ [link removed] ]. There may be others in the works. This land should remain available to all Minnesotans, including tribal band members, for generations to come. Future leadership would be under no legal obligation to follow this same approach and that?s a deal-breaker, regardless of any assurances issued today. Where does this stop?

*Running businesses out of MN*

Stop me if you?ve heard this one before, but political activists are playing games at the expense of Minnesotans.

This time, it?s related to radicals chasing rideshare companies out of our state. On one side, you have Democrats in the Legislature who last year approved a bill with outrageous rideshare fee increases last year, only to have the governor veto their recklessness. In the other corner, you have Minneapolis City Council members who refused to let the Democrat governor?s word stand, so they went ahead and passed their own outrageous rideshare increases.

House Democrats could fix this by working with Republicans on a common-sense solution. But, instead of doing actual work to help Minnesotans, they are twiddling their thumbs and waiting for Minneapolis City Council members to walk back their increase.

Minneapolis City Council members also could fix this by admitting they made a huge mistake and repeal their unrealistic increase. But, instead of doing what?s right for Minnesotans, they continue catering to fellow extremists while avoiding proving the mayor?s veto was the right decision.

Meanwhile, Minnesota drivers who need income could be without riders. And riders who need to get to school, work, doctor?s appointments or even court dates could be without drivers.

The sick twist to all of this is Democrats are working incredibly hard to run businesses out of our state, stomping out the kind of democratization in transportation you would think Democrats would embrace.

Sincerely,

Shane






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State Rep. Shane Mekeland
215 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected]
(651) 296-2451







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