Greetings District 10! Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary This past December 7th was National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day…survivors and veterans came together to remember and honor the 2,400 service members and civilians who were killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It is important to never forget the Americans who lost their lives on that tragic day, as well as the countless others who rose to the challenge of helping their fellow countrymen and defending freedom in the following days, weeks, and years. We will always honor their selflessness and sacrifices. Minnesota Record Setting Surplus This week, the office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its annual November economic forecast for Minnesota—it projects a $7.7 billion dollar budget surplus for the next two-year budget cycle. This is the largest budget surplus in state history. I am pleased that Minnesota’s economy is doing well—however, a surplus of this size also means that the state collected far more than it needs from taxpayers. The government is flush with cash—but inflation is stealing more from our paychecks (everything from gasoline, groceries, to energy is more expensive). These are hardworking Minnesotans: small business owners, blue-collar workers, teachers, law enforcement, health care workers, and everyone in between. Our top priority with a surplus of this size must be providing significant tax relief to the taxpayers. It is time to focus on restructuring our taxation system—a good place to start would be ending the outdated tax on social security…and folks should be able to keep more money in their pockets instead of contributing to a massive surplus.Here is the state budget forecast: MMB Forecast Minnesota DNR—CWD in Brainerd Lakes This week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released a summary of this fall’s CWD surveillance results. Unfortunately, they have confirmation of a CWD-positive test result from a wild deer harvested in the CWD management zone 604 in Crow Wing County/Brainerd Lakes area. This will reset the clock on management actions in that zone area—resulting in three more years of sampling and other disease management efforts. The area, which stretches north from Brainerd to Pine River and eastward to Aitkin, was in its final year of planned CWD surveillance and management because the disease had not been detected there since a wild doe tested positive in 2019. That initial discovery in wild deer came after testing in 2016 revealed that a deer farm within permit area 604 was infected with CWD. DNR CWD: CWD Brainerd Lakes & DNR CWD Management Staying in Touch If you’re looking to hear more from the Capitol, please like me on Facebook. Have a great start to your weekend!As always please feel free to contact my office with any questions you might have. My office can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4913 or at sen.carrie.ruud@senate.mn. Talk to you soon! Carrie Ruud |
