Friends and neighbors,

Minnesota continues to sit on a $17.6 billion surplus, and a question that constituents regularly ask me is: When will the state finally give the surplus money back to hardworking taxpayers?

Recently, we have seen a huge push for bonding by Democrats, which started in the House and is now beginning to hit Senate committees. A bonding bill, sometimes referred to as a capital investment bill, is a package of state agency and local infrastructure projects that lawmakers approve to fund, at least partially, with state dollars. However, before the state can consider a huge borrowing bill, I strongly believe that we must first have a concrete tax relief plan in place.

Minnesotans continue to struggle with rising inflation that affects all parts of a family’s budget, and the historic surplus signals that our state asks far too much from taxpayers. Therefore, it is vital to provide real and enduring tax relief before we look to spend new dollars. And I strongly believe that an important component of this should be finally ending Minnesota’s burdensome tax on Social Security income.

Though the Democrats are looking to fast-track a bonding bill, there is still much work to be done on the actual bonding projects. Therefore, my fellow Senate Republicans and I will continue to collect our districts’ local projects to keep moving the bonding bill forward. However, at the same time, we want to see tangible tax relief proposals and ideas advance through the Minnesota Legislature. 

Looking back at this past week, the Senate floor sessions were once again focused on appointments of state department commissioners. And like the week before, our committee hearings continue to be where a variety of significant legislation is vetted. And as session continues to advance, I will share further updates on the noteworthy legislation moving through the Senate. 

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. I will continue to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind as legislation comes before me. You can contact my office at sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson