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Jacob




Hello from the State Capitol,

 

It is interesting to review Governor Walz’s proposed budget and mandates he signed into law last year. It’s pretty clear he is off-loading as much of the financial problems Minnesotans are soon to face onto local governments. Which is ultimately going to lead to significant property tax increases.

 

As someone who served as a county commissioner for 10 years, that doesn’t sit well with me.

 

Last session, Governor Walz and an all-Democrat-led legislature burned through an $18 billion surplus, and then raised taxes another $10 billion besides. Because of these actions, Minnesota is projected to face a $5 billion budget deficit during the next session.

 

Yet, in our committees, every Democrat uses their time to claim President Trump is responsible for Minnesota’s future financial woes.

 

A reminder: he’s been in office for one month.

 

It is unreal that Democrats refuse to accept any responsibility for this state’s financial mess, but here we are.

 

*PRESERVE GIRLS’ SPORTS ACT MOVES AHEAD*

This week the House Education Policy Committee approved a bill that would prevent athletes who were born as boys from participating in girls sporting events. This is a bill that’s designed to maintain fairness and safety in girls’ athletics – nothing more, nothing less. It’s kind of pathetic lawmakers need to waste precious legislative time on something that should be common sense, but we do not live in normal times, apparently.

 

*“BORN ALIVE” BILL APPROVED IN HEALTH COMMITTEE*

Legislation that would ensure babies who are born alive during a botched abortion would receive the medical care needed to preserve their lives was approved in our health committee. Democrats eliminated a similar “born alive” provision from state law last session, which is why the legislation is necessary. Again, this should be another common-sense bill, with heavy emphasis on “should.”

 

*FRAUD PREVENTION BILL GAINS SUPPORT*

A bill designed to stop the next big fraud scandal before it happens is moving ahead in House committees. This legislation will create an independent Office of the Inspector General to investigate and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; require agencies to halt payments when fraud is suspected, rather than continuing to fund bad actors; and establish a fraud reporting hotline for state employees and the public to report suspicious activity.

 

*AVIATION FUEL*

In the agriculture committee on which I serve, we discussed the future of sustainable aviation fuel. I look forward to supporting the product, which will increase demand for state biofuels.

 

*CUTTING RED TAPE*

Legislation designed to streamline and improve the state's permitting process was approved by our environment committee recently. Reform is needed to address long-standing concerns that permit delays and denials have led job creators to leave or refuse to expand operations in Minnesota. A recent report found [ [link removed] ] that review times for air permits are 1.5 to 6 times longer than those in other states, costing the state up to $910 million in annual economic output and as many as 3,400 full-time jobs. This further underscores the importance of these reforms in helping keep Minnesota competitive with neighboring states and fostering sustainable economic development.

 

*CLEAN WATER COUNCIL*

This week, I was appointed to the Clean Water Council. According to the MPCA, the  28-member council represents organizations with a major role in achieving clean water, enabling consensus building and coordination on a wide array of issues critical to the people of Minnesota. Let’s just say I expect to be more of a chaperone on this committee, not a cheerleader.

 

*LOCAL VISITS*

I was pleased to meet with members of the Minnesota Corn Growers and the Minnesota Soybean Growers this week. With my farming background and representing a rural district it’s always good to see friendly faces at the Capitol!

 

Have a good weekend,

 

Steve









2481 Centennial Office Bldg.
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-2273
[email protected]







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