April 26 legislative update from Senator Hall

Taxes

This week, Senate Democrats unveiled the remainder of their tax increase legislation. With the very smallest tip-of-the-hat to you (the tax payer), their bill asks for just under $2 billion more. The tax increase is meant to enable state government spending to grow by 8%. Details of the tax plan include an expansion of the state’s sales tax to items like clothing, over-the-counter medications and auto repair. In addition, the tax bill increases the state’s cigarette tax and business taxes. 

The biggest part of the bill, however, is a $1.2 billion income tax increase which is generated by raising the tax rate on the state’s highest income bracket. Under the bill, the highest income bracket (currently taxed at 7.85%) would be taxed at 9.4% (a 20% increase). The Senate tax plan would create the fourth highest marginal tax rate in the country; it would impact married filers with incomes over $140,000 and single filers with incomes around $79,000.   We expect to take up the tax bill on the Senate Floor this coming Monday, April 29.

Judiciary

A bill by Senator Thompson that I am co-authoring passed the Senate Finance Committee this week. The bill (SF 874) would require a conviction before someone's property can be judicially forfeited for controlled substance offenses. This change would put these crimes in line with all other judicial forfeitures, and would ensure that people's property is not taken from them without their criminal involvement being proven through a conviction or plea agreement. The bill now awaits further action by the full Senate. 

Another judiciary bill (SF 712) that passed from the Finance Committee to the Senate floor this week enhances the penalties for murder or assault crimes committed against prosecutors and judges. Because prosecutors and judges are typically on the front lines of justice being served to criminals, this bill will put prosecutors and judges in the same protected class as police officers and prison guards. As a result, the penalties for assaulting or murdering one of these individuals will have a higher sentence than would otherwise be the case. 

Education and Health & Human Services

The State Senate approved a variety of large spending bills over the past week, including those for higher education, judiciary, state government, and environment, agriculture, commerce and jobs. Interestingly DFL leaders limited the full Senate’s consideration of two bills (composing 70% of the state’s general fund budget) to one day. As a result, passage of the Senate E-12 Finance bill was tainted with the spectacle of the Senate President violating protocol by cutting-off and refusing to recognize the minority. For its part the Health & Human Services Finance bill was passed under cover of night long after most voters went to bed.

The Democrat’s E-12 Finance bill, while increasing spending by nearly one-half billion dollars, fails students, parents, and hardworking taxpayers by lowering standards for students and teachers. While the bill  reduces standards, it does manage to add a new statewide property tax. We should be increasing educational outcomes for all students and reforming our education system, not dumbing down our diploma.

The Health & Human Services Omnibus bill is a true example of misplaced priorities. Democrats are raising billions of dollars in new taxes and fees, they are increasing spending in every other budget area (including wasteful projects) yet, they give inadequate financial support to services for seniors, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and our most vulnerable citizens.

Legislative Survey and In-district Hours 

Please take my legislative survey here: https://surveys.senate.mn/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=m6M04nl

If you would like to meet with me one-on-one, I will be holding in-district office hours on May 4th from 10:00-12:00  a.m. at Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine (12501 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville). Please call my legislative assistant at (651) 296-5975 to make an appointment.