Monday, May 6, 2013
The Republican senator from District 56 updates residents on the Daycare Unionization Bill and the Dream Act.
Editor's note: The following is an update from Lakeville Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 56), dated May 3. Catching Up This is not my usual comprehensive update, because I sent you information just [a few] days ago. However, there are some things you need to know. At this point in session things are moving very quickly. Daycare Unionization Bill Democrats are highly motivated to get daycare providers and personal care attendants (PCA) under the union umbrella. This is not a good idea. Most daycare providers and virtually all PCAs are self-employed. The union model doesn’t even fit for these folks. This legislation is a brazen attempt to grow union membership and create yet another group that is working to get more money from taxpayers…
Holberg: "We have just three weeks left before the state’s budget must be passed, and both the House and Senate Tax Omnibus bills are under consideration after a tough struggle to pass them."
Editor's note: The following is a newsletter from Lakeville's State House Representative Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville. Minnesotans are justifiably concerned about the runaway tax and fee increases headed their way when this legislative session adjourns. We have just three weeks left before the state’s budget must be passed, and both the House and Senate Tax Omnibus bills are under consideration after a tough struggle to pass them. A conference committee is now merging the two tax bills and a final product will come back to the House for final passage. The 2013 House Tax Omnibus Bill was passed last week by a handful of votes with bipartisan opposition. The Senate’s bill (including new taxes on clothing and personal services) passed on …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Holberg: "On Thursday, the Minnesota House approved a comprehensive agriculture and environment finance proposal that spends $822 million in order to better protect our land, air, and waterways and to promote the ag industry."
Editor's note: The following is a newsletter from Lakeville's State House Representative Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville. Greetings from the Capitol: Most Popular Constituent Contact Issue This Week – Tax Omnibus Bill Many of you have contacted me about new taxes and fees being proposed this year. Ironically, as Minnesotans rushed to file their taxes by the April 15 deadline, Democrats in the House used the day to celebrate and announced their Omnibus Tax Bill, the plan to raise taxes by $2.6 billion over the next two years through higher income taxes, tobacco sales taxes, and a much higher tax on alcohol. The bill creates a Fourth Tier income tax rate of 8.49% for couples with taxable income greater than $400,000 or individuals above $226,…
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Hall: "As widely reported, initial pull tab revenue for FY 2013 was projected to be $35 million, while updated projections have been scaled back to $1.8 million, a 95 percent reduction."
The following is a column from Sen. Dan Hall, D-District 56. E-pull tabs, Budgets, and Taxes Bipartisan concerns continue at the Capitol over the growing gap between initial and updated projections of electronic pull tab revenue—which is a key funding source for the new Vikings stadium. During this week’s inaugural hearing of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities, members of both parties called for an expedited hearing on why Governor Dayton’s revenue projections have so far been significantly off the mark. As widely reported, initial pull tab revenue for FY 2013 was projected to be $35 million, while updated projections have been scaled back to $1.8 million, a 95 percent reduction. Officials from the Minnesota …
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Thompson: "Early data show pull tab revenue for FY 2013 at $1.8 million, 95 percent less than the forecast $35 million."
Editor's Note: To read Sen. Dave Thompson's (R-District 58) full weekly newsletter, click the PDF to the right. Dear Neighbors, Please see this week's legislative update for a review on the problems with E-pull tabs, an update on Budget & Taxes, as well as a summary of work done in the Transportation Committee. Sincerely, Dave
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thompson: "We all want to provide enough tax revenue for government to effectively perform its core functions, but growing government irresponsibly is not that way to attain that goal."
Editor's Note: To read Sen. Dave Thompson's (R-District 58) full weekly newsletter, click the PDF to the right. Dear Neighbors, Today concluded the 2nd deadline for bills. Throughout this week many bills passed through their required committees. This update highlights issues from the Judiciary Committee, Transportation Committee, Health & Human Services, as well as Environment. This coming week the Senate is on break for the Easter & Passover Holidays. Sincerely, Dave
Hall: "We have reached the point in the legislative session when many of the plans of the Governor and legislative leaders have become public."
The following is a column from Sen. Dan Hall, R-District 56. Budgets and Taxes We have reached the point in the legislative session when many of the plans of the Governor and legislative leaders have become public. We now know that the Governor proposes a $1.8 billion tax increase, the DFL House proposes a $2.4 billion tax increase and the DFL Senate proposes a $2 billion tax increase for the next two year budget. Additionally, we now know that their proposed K-12 Education funding increases are $355 million, $550 million and $486 million, respectively. Their proposed Health & Human Services ( HHS ) increases/decreases are $210 million, -$150 million and -$152 million, respectively. Under each of the preceding scenarios the two largest …
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Hall: "Republicans expressed concern that this bill would result in increased costs for families and taxpayers alike."
The following is a column from Sen. Dan Hall, D-District 56. State and Local Government This week the State and Local Government Committee passed Senate File 778, a bill that could result in the unionization of child daycare providers. On a 7-5 party-line vote, the committee passed the AFSCME-supported bill. The Democrat majority rejected several Republican amendments to protect private business owners and the families they serve. These amendments included allowing families to observe contract negotiations, exempting nonmembers from paying union dues, and disclosing information to providers about what unionization means for their business. In response to AFSCME's testimony that SF 778 bill was about "raising subsidy rates," Republicans…
Holberg: "Many of you have contacted me this week about the idea of forcing small business child care providers to join a statewide union and pay dues."
Editor's note: The following is a newsletter from Lakeville's State House Representative Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville. Most Popular Constituent Contact Issue This Week – Unionizing Child Care Providers Many of you have contacted me this week about the idea of forcing small business child care providers to join a statewide union and pay dues. House File 950, chief-authored by Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and supported by AFSCME Council 5, provides a process for unionizing family childcare providers who serve families receiving subsidized child care assistance. This legislation is the latest in a seven-year push by AFSCME and their allies to unionize childcare providers. The most recent attempt occurred when Gov. Dayton attempted…
Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Education Policy Committee passed S.F. 783, an anti-bullying bill earlier this week.
Editor's Note: To read Sen. Dave Thompson's (R-District 58) full weekly newsletter, click the PDF to the right. Dear Neighbors, Please see this week's legislative update. In this update, I discuss the recent passage of the Healthcare Exchange Bill in the Senate, the push for day-care unionization, and the Anti-Bullying Bill heard in Education this week. Also, there is a personal note regarding my position on judicial retention elections. Sincerely, Dave
Marian Stella
12:25 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
We need more involved in having E tabs. VFW and Eagles have pull tabs and bingo. Work with them. I like both. Can't make money with 2 bars in St. Paul and have to look them up on the internet. Where's Margaret Thatcher for Minnesota? more ›