Legislative Update: Lohmer Writes about the Final Stretch of the Session

Editor’s Note: The following is a news release from Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Stillwater). Lohmer represents the Stillwater area in Minnesota House District 39B.

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We’re in the final stretch of the legislative session.

Last night, House and Senate DFL leaders and Governor Dayton announced an agreement on a tax plan that would impose higher income taxes, increase the cigarette tax by $1.60, and hike taxes on some business-to-business purchases.

If this tax plan is passed and signed into law, Minnesota would have the fourth highest tax rate in the nation. Given our community’s proximity to Wisconsin, it seems like Governor Dayton and DFL legislative leaders are encouraging our citizens to move across the border by imposing these tax increases on our hard-working families.

Today, the House took up an $800 million bonding bill.

The bonding bill – which borrows money and creates debt – needs a super majority of 60 percent of the votes in the House to pass. That means 81 members would need to vote for it. Given the fact there are currently 73 Democrats and 61 Republicans in the House, Democrats needed 8 votes from Republicans to pass this bill.

Bonding bills are generally reserved for even-numbered years. Our focus this session should be on the budget. The House DFL leadership has yet to pass a finalized budget agreement, but seems to have time for redefining marriage, unionizing childcare providers and increasing regulation on small business owners.

Given the misplaced priorities this session on top of the fact that I do not believe we should be borrowing before we budget, I voted no on passage of the bonding bill. Democrats were unconvincing in their attempt to gain Republican support on the bonding bill and it failed to gain the necessary votes. I’m sure we’ll see another bonding bill in the 2014 legislative session.

Tomorrow (May 18) will be a big day at the Capitol.

As you know from the update I sent out yesterday, Democrats plan to bring a bill to the floor to unionize childcare providers. My column on this issue was recently printed in the Stillwater Gazette. I remain adamantly opposed to this legislation.

If you feel so compelled, I encourage you to come to the Capitol tomorrow to show your opposition to this unprecedented attempt to unionize small business owners.

As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at651-296-4244.