CAPITOL RECAP: Area legislators share successes and disappointments

FROM PAGE 2 number of children living in poverty. All workers are now eligible for paid sick time. Workers can now get paid time off to heal from a serious illness or care for a loved one; new parents will can take time off to bond with newborn infants.

Education for early childhood pays big dividends in helping children succeed; significant resources were invested in both early education and in schools — amazing steps forward.

To help students learn, we addressed barriers to learning like mental health struggles and making sure they have nutritious meals (thanks to new Sen. Heather Gustafson from our NE Metro!)

Public safety is a top priority, and I’m pleased by the bold action, including first steps towards addressing the epidemic of gun violence.

Action to address climate change and protect the environment moved forward, though there is urgent work ahead.

There were thousands of additional victories — from payday lending reform, where we finally put an end to the outrageous lending practices that trap many lowincome workers in poverty, to legislation protecting voters and election workers from harassment and intimidation. Even my long-blocked catalytic converter theft bill finally passed. So many important victories — too many to name here, but they will improve the lives of all people in our communities.

Despite the successes this year, there is much work ahead. It is an honor to serve in the Senate. I renew my commitment to working for bold action on climate and affordable health care for everyone. I’ll continue working for a frugal and cost-effective government, focused on cost-saving prevention rather than expensive remedial programs.

Please keep in touch. Your ideas and concerns help me better represent you.

Rep. Elliott Engen District 36A

The 2023 Minnesota legislative session can be summed up in one word: Expensive. With a nearly $18 billion surplus, the Legislature should have spent all session delivering family-focused tax relief. It is disappointing that taxes are instead set to increase by $10 billion.

I was disheartened by the unwillingness of the Majority party to work across the aisle. My bill to eliminate the sales tax on infant care items, like strollers and car seats, received unanimous support in both the House and Senate. Unfortunately, this provision was stripped from the Tax bill during Conference Committee.

Our small Main Street businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. During COVID, these job creators struggled to keep their doors open amidst shutdowns. Ever since the COVID restrictions lifted, workforce shortages, supply chain issues and inflation have continued to impact their recovery. Instead of supporting our job creators, this session the Legislature passed a host of new mandates that will drive our Main Street businesses out of operation.

It’s time we put the needs of Minnesota families before the wish lists of state government. I am proud that despite all the new wasteful spending and burdensome mandates, I was able to deliver needed results for our community. I secured $13.5 million for clean water upgrades at the water treatment facility in Lino Lakes. My bills to crack down on fentanyl, provide mental health support for students and increase transparency in government spending also passed.

Republicans also secured $300 million in the final hours of session to save our nursing homes. Fifteen facilities in our state have closed since 2021, and many seniors are being forced to move hours away from their communities and loved ones. This critical funding will go towards saving our nursing homes and supporting the seniors they serve.

Minnesotans are more than willing to spend money to support those in need and ensure everyone has access to good roads and clean water. Unfortunately, this session is going to have severe consequences for family budgets. I will keep fighting for commonsense tax relief measures, and I hope my Democrat colleagues will join.

Rep. Mark Wiens

District

41a

When I arrived in St. Paul this January, Minnesota had a nearly $18 billion surplus. I was excited to get to work crafting policies that would return that surplus to you in the form of permanent, meaningful tax relief as well as looking at ways to make government more efficient with your tax dollars. It was disappointing that when we gaveled out of session, the majority had not only spent all the surplus, they also pushed through nearly $10 billion in tax increases in order to pay for their out-of-control spending spree.

When families are paying higher prices for gas, groceries and energy bills, they don’t want 40% more government. They want real relief for their family budgets. It is a disappointment not to deliver permanent, meaningful tax relief for all Minnesotans this session.

I am pleased to report that I secured funding for Highway 36 improvements. This will have a huge impact and make this important highway safer and more effective for our community. I was also pleased to support and author provisions supporting veterans and first responders, ensuring those that served are not forgotten.

We also passed an Environment/Energy bill that will ban PFAS products and support local water needs for Lake Elmo. Our community has been negatively impacted by PFAS for years. My bill allows the DNR to issue water use permits to Lake Elmo and not reduce water use permit limits for the city of White Bear Lake was also included. This ensures Lake Elmo has enough water and it is a huge victory for our community.

In the final days of session, Republicans secured $300 million in funding to support our nursing homes. Seniors should not be forced to leave their communities to get the care they need. Without Republican intervention, nursing homes would not have received this critical funding which will be a lifeline for many facilities in Minnesota.

It is my honor to be your voice in St. Paul this session. Even though we are now in the interim, please continue to reach out with your questions, ideas and concerns. Have a great summer!

Rep. Patti Anderson District 33A

This session proved challenging for those of us who prioritize fiscal responsibility. We went in hoping to return the $17.5 billion surplus to taxpayers through large rebate checks, income tax cuts and the complete elimination of Social Security tax. However, the DFL’s narrowly-held trifecta not only spent the entire surplus but also raised taxes by an additional $10 billion.

Starting in July, the state budget will increase by 38%, all funded by your tax dollars.

While we did secure a partial Social Security tax exemption and $260 per-person rebate checks (subject to income limits), Minnesotans will face a wide array of new tax increases: hikes on sales tax and gas tax, a new delivery tax, a new payroll tax and significant fee increases. Most of the sales tax increase will go toward metro area transit and low-income housing. Businesses will also see tax increases, as our corporate income tax is now the highest in the nation.

The Democrat trifecta passed an agenda that differed significantly from their campaign promises. Most Democrat legislators hail from Minneapolis, St. Paul or inner-ring suburbs, and many openly identify as “Democratic Socialists.” This fringe agenda ultimately prevailed and will affect everyone in the state after July 1. Left-wing special interest groups’ wish-lists dominated the legislative process, and I believe Minnesotans will be shocked and angry when these policies are implemented.

As a republic, our 50 states serve as testing grounds for political ideas and governance. Minnesota’s policies now lean further left than California’s, and will serve as an experiment in “democratic socialism.” The outcome remains uncertain — perhaps piling on the same ill-advised policies will somehow right the ship, or perhaps it will only accelerate the population loss Minnesota has been experiencing. I’m betting on the latter. Supporters of this transformation believe these policies will attract like-minded individuals from across the country. Time will tell if they are productive taxpayers, since we are quickly running out of other people’s money.

Elections have consequences — serious ones for Minnesotans.

Rep. Matt Norris District 32B

The 2023 legislative session was a historic one, focused on improving the lives of workingand middle-class Minnesotans. And we got our work done on time!

I’m most proud of the $102.75 million for Highway 65 I worked in bipartisan fashion to secure. This major state investment will remove the stoplights from 99th Avenue to 117th Avenue, improving safety on this dangerous stretch of road. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

As vice chair of the House Tax Committee, I helped pass the largest tax cut in Minnesota history! Based on resident feedback, I proudly authored a “supercharged” targeted property tax refund for homeowners who see a big property tax spike. Another bill I drafted increased the limits for the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. Both bills became law. I also led the push that eliminated the tax on Social Security benefits for the vast majority of Minnesota seniors.

I know public safety is important to our community as well. I was the chief author in the House for $300 million in public safety aid we’re providing to cities and counties to help keep our neighborhoods safe. I also led the bipartisan effort to renew key powers for the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council. This group allows law enforcement agencies to coordinate and save money for county taxpayers.

In response to the needs of Centennial Schools, I introduced a bill that resulted in a 4% and 2% boost in funding for Minnesota public schools the next two years. I also included adjustments for inflation in the future so political gridlock doesn’t keep our schools from getting the funding they need.

We also have a lot of manufactured housing in our district. I secured $17 million for manufactured home park infrastructure grants and loans and another $10 million for manufactured home financing, down payment assistance and repair/renovation funds. I championed legislation creating new ways to help convert parks to resident cooperative ownership.

All told, I was able to pass 24 bills into law. Learn more about my work this session, including videos, photos and media links at https://www.facebook.com/ repmattnorris/.

Rep. Brion Curran District 36B

On May 22, my first session serving in the Minnesota House came to an end. It was an honor to serve in the Legislature this year, and I am so proud of the work we did. Alongside our governor and DFL senators, we ended the gridlock and delivered on our promises to Minnesotans.

Our budget delivers the largest tax cut in state history with credits, rebates and other provisions to maximize benefits for workers, families and seniors. It also includes property tax cuts; full Social Security state income exemption for those earning less than $100,000 annually joint or $78,000 single; and a new and simplified Child & Working Family Tax Credit. These critical solutions are made possible by the state’s historic surplus and new revenue from measures that target the wealthiest corporations and individuals in the state.

You may have heard about our bill providing school meals to all students, ensuring no one has to learn on an empty stomach earlier this year—but that was just the start of our work to improve learning and child development. Our budget supports students and staff and stabilizes funding. It increases the general education formula and links it to inflation, reduces the Special Education and English Learner crosssubsidies, and makes much-needed investments in supporting students so every child can graduate and succeed.

I was proud to serve on the Public Safety and Judiciary committees, bringing my experience as a former officer to the table. We increased funding for law enforcement, invested in supporting victims and enacted common-sense gun violence prevention measures like red-flag laws and universal background checks. I am also glad to report several provisions I authored are now law, including increased mental health treatment options for our first responders, limiting the use of no-knock warrants, and other important changes that make our communities safer and the judicial system more equal.

By using our one-time budget surplus to invest in education, public safety and more, I am proud of our work making our state better for all Minnesotans.

Editor’s note: We did not hear from the following candidates by press deadline: Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, Sen. Karin Housley, Sen. Heather Gustafson, Sen. Judy Seeberger, Sen. Tou Xiong, and Rep. Leon Lillie.

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce, limitation or discriminat ion based on race, co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce limitation or discriminat ion.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal cu stod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real esta te which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9 777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75

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Baseball

Four Mounds View players were named to the all-Suburban West Conference team. They are Andrew Simon, senior pitcher; Tanner Hoeman, senior second baseman; Hayden Sperbeck, junior third baseman; and Drew Rogers, junior catcher and pitcher. Rogers was also named Star-Tribune Metro Player of the Year (see separate article). Named to the all-section team were those four and senior first baseman/ pitcher Tyler Guerin. The Mustangs were Section 5AAAA champions and finished 15-11 after two onerun losses in the state tournament. They were 11-7 in the SEC.

GOLF

Mounds View had two golfers in the state tournament last week — junior Christian Goralski in the boys tournament and freshman Sara Dove in the girls tournament. Neither was at the top of their game at the state competition held at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids. Goralski shot 87-75-162 for 68th place among 88 qualifiers. Dove shot 96-96-192 for 81st place. Goralski qualified with a 74-73-147 for fifth place in

Section 5AAA, and Dove qualified with 83-86-169 for eighth place. Goralski and Braylon Ylkanen made the all-conference team.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Ella Westerman, Mounds View junior midfielder, was named to the all-Suburban East team. Westerman and Gabi Bullert, junior defender, were named to the All-Section 5 second team. Mounds View was 3-12 overall and 1-8 in the SEC. Westerman was the top scorer with 22 goals and eight assists for 30 points, followed by Gigi Otto (19-7-26), Maddie Tinkle (15-3-18), Elsa Lohman (15-4-10) and Avee Anderson (15-4-19).

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