ST. PAUL, MN –  Yesterday Senate Republican Leaders rolled out a path forward to pass both tax relief and a bonding bill off the floor, along with funding for addressing Minnesotan’s most pressing needs in long-term care and agriculture.  

“Minnesotans have spoken out loud and clear they want to invest in our infrastructure for safe roads, bridges, water, and treasured local projects,” Senator Rob Farnsworth said (R- Hibbing). “Minnesotans have also been telling us they want to see the tax on Social Security Income go away. I fully support this path forward to get a bonding bill and tax relief done this session.”  

Using the Democrat’s budget targets, the plan includes passing the $1.5 billion bonding bill plus an additional $200 million for local roads and bridges with a super-majority vote required. By borrowing instead of using cash, it frees up additional funds from the Democrat’s targets. With those funds, the plan proposes:  

• $3 billion in tax relief in 2024-25 and almost $2.5 billion in 2026-27, $1 billion more than the targets, with the stipulation the tax bill may not include any tax increases and must include a full elimination of the tax on Social Security Income 
• An additional $500 million for the Human Services Bill to address the statewide needs at long-term care facilities and nursing homes 
• $160 million more for the Agriculture Bill  

“We know that Minnesotans want us to invest in our state and invest in them. This plan does exactly that. We are ready and willing to work with our counterparts in the Senate to get these important bills passed,” Farnsworth concluded.