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On Tuesday, Governor Walz along with Speaker Hortman and Senate Leader Dziedzic unveiled their budget targets that include a $17.9 billion net increase over the previous budget. This means the state would spend nearly $72 billion in the next two-year budget cycle. This is a 30% budget increase over the last biennium. Unfortunately, this aggressive budget doesn't even address some of the biggest issues our state is facing right now. Important infrastructure needs like roads and bridges are hardly addressed in this framework and while education spending is seeing a sizable increase, it is yet to be seen how much will make it so the students and teachers that need resources the most.
This budget will spend the entire surplus and more. While I still believe we should be focusing on tax cuts and ending the tax on social security with this budget surplus, if the majority wants to go on a spending spree they could at least do a better job of spending the money where it is needed most. There are infrastructure needs throughout our state that our historic budget surplus could address without bonding, as well as provide historic tax cuts. Instead, they want to pass a partisan wish list.
The House Democrats brought forward another one of their ?Sanctuary State? bills, possibly the worst one yet, House File 146. This extreme legislation will allow our state to provide legal asylum to those seeking to subject children to gender transitioning hormones and surgeries. No legal guardianship necessary. ?We should absolutely not be allowing this medical malpractice on children. Here are some of my concerns with this bill:
 Unfortunately, this bill was still passed, on partisan lines. Our members and supporters did an amazing job of putting the democrats on notice that this is not a policy that Minnesotans support. The speaker even went so far as to try and lock the doors of the house floor so that members would not be able to greet anyone in the rotunda that was at the capitol to protest this bill. I pray the Senate Democrats will come to their senses as this bill heads over to the other body where there is only a one seat difference.
After a tough week I look forward to being home with my family.? I am honored to be invited to speak at a 2A Town Hall at the Verndale Community Center on Sunday, 2pm.? On Monday, I already look forward to being back at the Capitol, fighting for hard-working people of our district!
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