Friends and neighbors,

As the 2023 legislative session kicked off, I shared that a priority of mine was to give our state’s historic budget surplus back to the taxpayers who created it. With Minnesotans facing an unreliable financial future due to ongoing inflation and a looming recession, they need financial relief. However, this session resulted in massive taxes and fees, not meaningful tax cuts.

Even with a nearly $18 billion surplus, Democrats still raised taxes BY MORE THAN $9 BILLION and grew state government BY MORE THAN 40%. In a time of great surplus, it’s outrageous that we would ask even more of taxpayers. This serves as the biggest budget increase in our state’s history, and Minnesotans will be footing the bill for the extreme one-party control agenda.

Further, I would like to express my great disappointment that this session ended without the full elimination of the tax on Social Security income. Throughout this session, my Senate minority colleagues and I pushed to end this burdensome tax once and for all. I know that members across the aisle, and even the governor, advocated for this in their campaigns. We could easily have gotten this accomplished this year if only one member across the aisle had joined us in demanding this change. With such a massive surplus, we had more than enough money to get this done for our Minnesota seniors.

Though there were a number of disappointments this year, I am still glad to share a meaningful accomplishment at the end of session.

In March, I noted that Senate Republicans voted against the bonding bill because we knew we could do better for the districts we serve. And during the final weekend of session, legislative leaders announced a bipartisan agreement to pass a robust bonding bill and deliver $300 million in much-needed funding to the state’s struggling nursing homes. 

Specifically, the agreement includes direct grants, facility rate increases, and a workforce incentive fund that adds up to about $1.1 million for every nursing home in the state. With Minnesota nursing homes facing a staffing crisis, I am pleased that we were able to provide them with this lifeline. Were it not for our resolve, up to 40 nursing homes could have closed in the upcoming years.

As a result of this agreement, Senate Republicans secured an additional $200 million of the new bonding bill. In District 29, the City of Monticello will receive $11 million to construct a new water treatment plant. This project is essential to ensuring that Monticello residents have access to safe, reliable drinking water, as the Department of Health found that the City’s raw water contains high levels of manganese. This mineral is essential to our bodies in trace amounts. However, too much manganese can be harmful.

Additionally, the City of South Haven will receive $3.5 million for Phase 2 of a critical water infrastructure improvements project. Phase 1 of the project is already funded and underway and includes the new well and well house, water tower and water main distribution system work. However, additional drinking water, wastewater, storm and sewer improvements are necessary. This new funding will go a long way in completing Phase 2, improving the quality of life and well-being of residents.

I am also pleased to share that this year’s bonding bill includes $10 million for True Friends Camp Courage in Maple Lake. Camp Courage, operated by True Friends nonprofit, is a summer camp that has been serving children and adults with all abilities for over 60 years. This funding will allow Camp Courage to build a new welcome center and recreation facility on the campus. Camp Courage is an amazing project that serves Minnesotans from across the state, and I know that this new funding will further advance this organization’s mission.

This session resulted in many disappointments, but the bonding bill and additional funding for nursing homes are silver linings. This session showed that by working across the aisle, we can get great work accomplished for the people we represent. I am hopeful that this is something we all took away.

It is a true privilege to serve as the voice of the great folks of Senate District 29 at the Capitol.

Honoring our Fallen Service Members

On Memorial Day, we honor the courageous men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms. We are truly the home of the free, because of the brave. Let us all take time today to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great Nation. May God bless America!

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson