Today it was announced a budget agreement between the Senate, House, and Governor was made and Minnesota will be funded through the next two years. Senator Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) has spent this Legislative Session focusing on Minnesota priorities that will benefit not only his district, but the entire state, all without raising taxes.

“One of my top priorities when coming to the Senate was ensuring Minnesotans were not further burdened by tax hikes when our state is already taxed at one of the highest rates in the nation,” Dornink said. “Full PPP conformity is good for everyone in Minnesota and I am pleased to see our priorities being funded all without raising taxes. I’m also excited to see the bill assisting firefighters and other emergency responders included in the budget.”

Conforming to federal guidance with full forgiveness for PPP loans had been a bargaining chip used by the House after the Senate passed the bill with a veto-proof majority. These loans were important lifelines to many Minnesota-run businesses to keep employees on the payroll and relieving the burden of taxes was a top priority for Senate Republicans. 

Senator Dornink led the charge on the Hometown Heroes program for firefighters. This program provides monetary support for firefighters diagnosed with cancer or heart disease, offering customized counseling, and new training programs to teach safety practices for their physical health are a few ways this program will assist firefighters.