ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Republicans have drafted a package of bills Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, said would make Minnesota a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
Perryman said the bills, authored as part of the GOP’s “Make Minnesota Affordable” initiative, focus on lowering energy costs, reducing the tax burden, and ensuring budget surpluses benefit hardworking Minnesotans.
“Between historic inflation and our state government’s reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases, Minnesotans have been getting slammed at every turn in recent years,” Perryman said. “The party in full control of the Capitol the last two years could have delivered game-changing relief but, instead, spent the $18 billion surplus and still raised taxes by $10 billion.
“The good news is those days are over because House Republicans restored balance in St. Paul and are focusing on providing relief for all Minnesotans. We have started by authoring bills to reduce or repeal taxes and fees, protect taxpayer dollars when future state surpluses occur, and to expand our energy options and save utility costs. These are things Minnesotans care about, and House Republicans are working hard to make happen this year.”
Bills in the House Republicans’ Make Minnesota Affordable package include:
- Modernizing Minnesota’s renewable energy policies by expanding the state’s definition of eligible renewable energy to include hydroelectric capacity. It also delays standards for electric utilities which Perryman called unrealistic, protects reliable energy sources, and ends the state’s nuclear moratorium. These reforms will help stabilize energy costs and secure a balanced energy future for Minnesota families and businesses, Perryman said.
- Delivering sweeping tax reforms, repealing the controversial retail delivery fee and ending the tax on Social Security income once and for all. By requiring a comprehensive analysis of tax policies, this bill ensures a fairer system for Minnesota taxpayers, Perryman said. She indicated this represents a commitment to economic growth and reducing financial stress for families and seniors alike.
- Ensuring that future state budget surpluses are returned to the people of Minnesota. By proposing a constitutional amendment, this bill codifies the principle that taxpayer money belongs in the hands of those who earned it. The measure guarantees that Minnesota families, not government bureaucracy, benefit from the state’s financial successes, Perryman said.
“As much as we love it in Minnesota, taxpayers can take only so much and many people have reached a breaking point with everything costing more these days,” Perryman said. “The kicker is they just can’t understand how our government can have an $18 billion surplus and still raise taxes by $10 billion. That just doesn’t make sense to families and businesses who have had a tough time making ends meet. That’s why House Republicans want to flip this around with a fresh approach that makes life more affordable in Minnesota.”
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