MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR MINNESOTANS
Getting Things Done
- SMALL BUSINESS PROPERTY TAX CUT
For the second budget in a row, Senate Republicans lowered the statewide business property tax, helping main street businesses across the state. - TAX BREAK FOR FARMERS
For the second budget in a row, Senate Republicans provided property tax relief to farmers with an expanded education property tax credit for agricultural land. MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS
Senate Republicans passed the first income tax rate cut in nearly 20 years, moving the second-tier income tax rate from 7.05% to 6.8%, beginning in 2019, saving Minnesota taxpayers 90 million each year.SOCIAL SECURITY TAX CUTS
For the second budget in a row, Senate Republicans lowered taxes paid on social security income, helping seniors on fixed incomes.WAGE THEFT
Senate Republicans made wage theft a felony, making sure every Minnesotan who earns a wage is paid a wage.
THE MNLARS FIX
Senate Republicans scrapped MNLARS, designated a replacement software and reimbursed deputy registrars impacted by the failure.TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Senate Republicans preserved $6 billion to fix roads and bridges without a 20¢ per gallon gas tax increase.DISTRACTED DRIVING
Senate Republicans made the streets safer with legislation that prohibits drivers from placing phone calls outside of “hands-free” mode.E-12 SCHOOL FUNDING
Senate Republicans made a historic investment in our schools, increasing the per-student funding formula by 2% in 2020 and an additional 2% in 2021, a total increase of $388.8 million.COLLEGE TUITION FREEZE
Senate Republicans prioritized students and college affordability by capping tuition at all Minnesota public higher education institutions and freezing online tuition fees at Minnesota State campuses.
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS
Senate Republicans passed new rules for pharmacy middlemen to drive down the cost of prescription drugs, including insulin.REINSURANCE
Senate Republicans extended the highly successful Minnesota reinsurance program that stabilized the state’s individual health insurance market, lowered premiums and expanded health insurance options.CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE FRAUD
Senate Republicans successfully fought against increases in CCAP funding and for new accountability measures to clamp down on the pervasive fraud in this program.NURSING HOME FUNDING
Senate Republicans secured funding for nursing homes, protecting them from cruel cuts proposed by Gov. Walz and House Democrat.RURAL BROADBAND
Senate Republicans delivered $40 million for the border-to-border rural broadband expansion program.
COMMITTEES AND LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
Goals and Accomplishments for the District
ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES & LEGACY FINANCE
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance has jurisdiction over all billsrelating to the environment or the state’s natural resources.
COMMERCE & CONSUMER PROTECTION FINANCE & POLICY
The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection has jurisdiction over all bills relating to banking,insurance, securities, consumer financial services, and liquor.
STATE GOVERNMENT, FINANCE, POLICY & ELECTIONS
The Committee on State Government, Finance and Policy & Elections has jurisdiction over all bills creating a new state agency, substantially changing organization…
FAMILY CARE & AGING
In this committee on family care and aging, we were able to work on bills relating to the affordability and accessibility of child care, leave from work for family care purposes, long-term care and bills that would substantially affect the lives of the elderly population of this state.
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION
I am honored to be Vice-Chair of the bipartisan MMN Legislative Audit Commission, which is equally divided between the majority – minority parties. This commission helps identify and suggest changes so MN government functions the way it should.
SUB-COMM. ON EMP. RELATIONS
This committee track costs related to collective bargaining agreements and compensation plans and assists the legislature by providing interim approval of negotiated agreements, arbitration awards, and compensation plans for executive branch employees.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE & POLICY
“I am extremely motivated by the work the HHS Committee undertakes. It requires significant attention and energy from the sitting members due to its oversight of huge government agencies, such as the Department of Human Services, a critical agency serving our children, most vulnerable, and elderly. Millions of tax dollars funnel into these vital programs, and they need significant operational reform. While I sit on this committee, I will continue to advocate for a bipartisan effort to use our state’s resources better.”
The HHS Committee’s primary jurisdiction is medical and public health in Minnesota, including the Department of Health, MNSure, medical boards, and some advisory councils (speech pathologists, athletic trainers, etc.). [Read More]
GOP SENATE MEMBER ON BLUE RIBBON COUNCIL ON TECHNOLOGY
I had the honor of being the only Republican Senator appointed to the Blue Ribbon Council on Technology. The council is an advisory group to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to provide advice on how to update and maintain the state’s IT systems to ensure that Minnesota residents and businesses who interact with the state receive the best possible service. [Read More]
OPPORTUNITY ZONE: LET’S WORK TOGETHER
UPCOMING EVENTS
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“The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.”
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”