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Sports betting has been a contentious topic this week. As more stakeholders on verious sides of the issue have weighed in the issues with the current language are starting to become apparent. This bill needs more time to work out if there are exclusivity rights and if so who gets them as well as the limits or protections we need to address gambling addiction that may be exacerbated by this bill. I?m looking at the issue very cautiously and would like my many concerns addressed as this bill continues through the committee process.
In Housing Committee we heard about their 4 billion dollar housing legislation. This package includes $1 billion each for low-income housing, rental assistance, and homelessness with the remaining being spent in the following years. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the bill to actually solve the problems of housing cost and availability. This bill lacks any sort of workforce development so that we can provide skilled and well-paid labor to build the housing we need. It also completely ignores the shortage of senior housing we are facing across the state. I hope the majority will take these housing issues more seriously as we discuss these bills more and bring our amendments forward.
On Tuesday we as House and Senate Republicans held a press conference in response to the Department of Revenue?s February budget forecast. Their report shows that we continue to have a $17.5 Billion surplus. State government is collecting unnecessary amounts of tax dollars and yet our proposals to give the surplus back have gotten zero hearings from the majority. A top priority for this surplus is to end the tax on Social Security. A repeal of the Social Security tax is a necessity as the Biden-Walz economy continues to pinch budgets with record-setting inflation. We need to provide relief, and with a massive budget surplus, we could provide that relief not just for seniors but for all Minnesota taxpayers.
This week the Library Board held their advocacy day to share all of the helpful services our library provides. They are all so passionate about our libraries and how they can democratize knowledge. We had a great conversation about their legislative priorities this year. Visitors and hearing from constituents is one of the most enjoyable parts of the job, please stop in to say hello the next time you're in St. Paul.
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Contact Me
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or your family on a matter of state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4346 or by email at [email protected].
Have a great week.
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/RepBrianJohnson
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243 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.4346 |
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