Friends and neighbors,

Our state’s biggest tax cut:

In response to the historic $9 billion budget surplus, Senate Republicans proposed the largest permanent tax cut in state history earlier this session. And this week, we made good on this promise through our state’s biggest tax cut ever, which provides taxpayers with a staggering $8.43 billion in relief over the next three years.

The landmark tax cut bill reduces the first-tier tax rate for all filers from 5.35% to 2.80%, and fully eliminates the state income tax on all Social Security benefits. Over 2.4 million filers would benefit and receive an average savings of $759. Further, a typical family making $100,000 would see a savings of $1,064.

It’s critical to get government spending back under control and keep more hard-earned money in the pockets of Minnesotans. Eliminating the Social Security income tax is an issue I have been pushing for years and one that I am pleased to see included in this legislation. It is long overdue to stop taxing our seniors twice on this income.

Keeping our communities safe:

Additionally, the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, which I serve on as a member, recently passed its comprehensive public safety bill to hold criminals accountable and keep Minnesota’s communities safe. 

The work of our law enforcement officers is critical to maintaining law and order and addressing our state’s rise in crime. However, law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are struggling with staff. Therefore, the bill focuses on law enforcement officers’ recruitment, retention, education and training, and equipment. 

This bill also responds to growing instances of violent criminals becoming repeat offenders and frequent decisions by prosecutors and judges to go easy on criminals. Key provisions are included to improve transparency for the decisions that lead to early releases and failures to charge to the fullest extent possible. 

Included in the comprehensive public safety bill is also a prosecutor training grant bill, SF 3332, I authored this session to respond to the increase in county attorney retirements. This grant funds several annual seminars so new, young prosecutors can learn from experienced county attorneys.

Finally, this bill will toughen penalties for criminal activity in response to our state’s dangerous upsurge in violent. The Public Safety Committee recently adopted several‘tough on crime’ bills that increase penalties for repeat offenders, carjackers, and violent crimes involving firearms. 

Ensuring affordable health insurance:

The Minnesota Legislature also recently approved a three-year extension of the successful Minnesota Premium Security Plan, known as ‘reinsurance.’ This program lowers the cost of the individual market health insurance plans by covering some of the more expensive care costs for people in the individual market.

Originally, Senate Republicans passed reinsurance with funding for five years, with no significant policy changes. This can be contrasted with the House Democrats reinsurance bill with no funding, and significant policy changes.

Minnesota faced an April 1 deadline to meet a federal requirement to continue the program, so it was critical for the Legislature to pass this legislation before then. This is the longest extension the legislature has agreed upon and provides the most stability for the market.

With families already facing historic inflation rates, it’s critical they are not also hit with high health care premiums. The reinsurance extension will help guarantee Minnesotans have multiple affordable options for health insurance.

Contact me

As always, if have questions or concerns on any legislative topic, feel free to contact me any time. You can call me at 651-296-5655 or send me an email at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn. It is a privilege to serve as your state senator.

Sincerely,

Mary