Advancing Minnesota with New Transportation Funding  

Under democratic leadership, Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure has been neglected. Instead, the legislature has focused on funding wasteful transit projects that benefit only a fraction of the metro area population. Meanwhile, Republicans have listened to the priorities of all Minnesotans and now recognize the dire need of transportation repair statewide.

This week Senate Republicans announced our transportation funding plan. All new spending will go to improve our roads and bridges, without raising any new taxes. The plan will immediately provide $1.3 billion in transportation improves over the next two years and $3.6 billion over a ten-year period. That funding will cover more than 8,800 land miles and 200 bridges in our state.

Besides the budget changes, this transportation bill includes some common-sense reforms that will increase transparency at Minnesota’s Department of Transportation. Minnesota is on the hook for 50% of the operating costs for future light rail projects. Our plan wipes out that mandate, because the state shouldn’t have to fund local ventures.

With these changes, Minnesotans will enjoy shorter and safer commutes that will get them home to their families much quicker. For more information about our plan, visit our website.

Securing Broadband in Greater Minnesota 

A strong broadband infrastructure is as critical as an updated transportation infrastructure. Access to reliable broadband is vital to economic development, public knowledge and safety, and quality education for our young learners. Rural businesses, banks, schools, and hospitals need dependable access to the web so they can keep advancing with the rest of the country. Yet there is a huge broadband deficit that is slowing down rural parts of our state. This session, Senate Republicans are calling attention to this urgent issue and making changes to support these communities.  

Legislation proposed this session would provide grant opportunities for local telecommunications companies to build out areas of the state that are unserved or underserved. $20 million over 2 years will promote growth in greater Minnesota while providing more security for businesses, families, and other vital community institutions. This bill is expected to be included in the omnibus Jobs bill, which will be voted on later this session.

Tax Help for Disadvantaged Minnesotans 

I spent several years working for the Minnesota Department of Revenue and during this time, I led a team to create our state’s electronic filing system. That system has been deployed to agencies across the state to streamline data collection and increase technological efficiencies. Now as a Senator, my work came full circle when I proposed a bill that would allow me to revisit one of the first carriers to implement our filing system: The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program or “VITA.”

But I digress. The bill I want to talk about will help a lot of low-income Minnesotans help save money and provide for their families.

 

As everyone knows, filing taxes is a very complicated and sensitive process. If done incorrectly, you risk overpaying or missing savings you may not realize you are eligible for. That’s why tons of resources to help people properly file their taxes have increasingly gained popularity. However, these services are expensive, leaving many disadvantaged Minnesotans who need the most support unable to access these valuable resources.

 

To level the playing field and get help to these people, VITA offers free tax help to taxpayers who may need assistance preparing their returns. This includes Minnesotans earning less than $54,000 a year, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Similarly, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offers tax help to those who are 60 years or older, targeting pension and retirement questions in particular.

My bill – Senate File 816 – reinstates grants to continue funding these programs and delivering much-needed support to Minnesota’s most vulnerable.

Sincerely,

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