Friends and neighbors –

Senate Democrats passed a costly and dangerous energy bill, known as the Blackout Bill, through the Senate on February 2. This bill mandates electric utilities to source 100% of their energy from carbon-free sources by 2040. It’s a fine goal, but because their approach relies on less-dependable sources and excludes nuclear, it puts our energy grid at risk of collapse and will raise family energy bills by an estimated $4,000 per family per year. It’s a bad bill, and I voted against it.

Senate Republicans have a better solution: the A+ Energy Plan. This proposal provides a reliable, affordable, and always-on energy source through the use of a diverse mix of clean energy sources, such as nuclear, renewable gas, and hydroelectric power. The “all of the above” approach guarantees a constant energy supply, making it a practical solution for meeting the growing energy demands of our population. The A+ Energy Plan is a smarter, safer option for our energy future.

Republicans tried to eliminate the Social Security benefits tax. Democrats stood in the way.

On January 30, Senate Republicans attempted to immediately abolish the tax on Social Security benefits, but Democrats voted us down. 

It was disappointing. Getting rid if the tax on Social Security benefits is one of the most popular issues I receive feedback about. Minnesota is one of only 11 remaining states that still imposes this tax. Last year, under Republican leadership, the Senate successfully passed a bill to finally fully eliminate the tax on Social Security benefits, but it was blocked by House Democrats. Over the summer and fall Democrats on the campaign trail said this was a top priority. Unfortunately, they failed to keep their promise to Minnesota’s senior citizens.

A wasteful, expensive passenger train from Minneapolis to Duluth

Democrats seem to have a fondness for trains, regardless of their high cost, inefficiency, and inconvenience. On Monday, the Transportation Committee saw Democrats consider funding a passenger train from Minneapolis to Duluth. This train is expensive, and offers no advantages over driving in terms of cost or speed, but it is far less convenient.

Contact me:

If you have any questions about any of these issues or any other issue the legislature is working on, please don’t hesitate to contact me any time. My email is Sen.Rich.Draheim@Senate.mn, and my phone number is 651-296-5558. 

And please follow me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorRichDraheim/

It is a privilege to serve you.

Rich