SUBJECT: Tax relief must come before bonding
By Senator Steve Drazkowski
Friends and Neighbors,
Let’s talk about priorities. Specifically, bonding vs. tax cuts.
Senate Democrats recently forced a premature vote on a partisan bonding bill – a bill to borrow and would spend $1.5 billion on projects around the state. Some of these projects are worthy of funding. Many are not.
Our view as Senate Republicans is that before we entertain the idea of a bonding bill of any size, we need to send significant tax relief to regular, working Minnesotans who are struggling right now. Our state has a massive $19 billion budget surplus – a state record – thanks to the hard work of everyday working Minnesotans. We need to send that surplus back to them as quickly as possible.
There are still a lot of folks across our state who are feeling the pinch of inflation and are crying out for real tax relief. I get calls and emails from them every single day.
But we are halfway through this legislative session, and those deserving taxpayers are still waiting. So far this year, even though I voted against each of them, this Legislature passed the world’s most extreme abortion bill and a blackout bill that will cause family energy bills to spike and jeopardize our grid. We have provided driver’s licenses to illegal aliens and given convicted felons the right to vote before finishing their sentence. So what’s taking Democrats so long to provide tax relief?
Don’t get me wrong: there are plenty of important infrastructure projects we could and should be funding this year, including two top priorities in our district that I have been working especially hard on:
- The North Zumbro regional wastewater project, which would service five communities: Zumbrota, Pine Island, Goodhue, Wanamingo, and the Prairie Island Indian Community/Elk Run Property.
- Funding to repair the crumbling limestone wall and seating area at John Burch Park in Cannon Falls, to improve safety and functionality.
But instead of working with us to put together a package that’s truly good for all Minnesotans, Democrats have decided to push their own partisan agenda. Minnesotans have been overtaxed by $19 billion, yet Democrats’ first item of fiscal business is to put more money on the state’s credit card. It’s a classic case of putting the cart before the horse, and it’s the wrong priority.
So let’s get our priorities straight. Republicans are standing up for overtaxed, hard-working Minnesotans. With a $19 billion surplus and countless citizens struggling to afford daily life, tax cuts must come first.
Let’s provide some support to the hardworking Minnesotans who are struggling right now and give them the tax relief they deserve. Then, and only then, should we entertain the idea of a bonding bill. It’s time for Democrats to stop playing games and start working with Republicans to find common ground. That’s what Minnesotans expect, and that’s what my constituents deserve.
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