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Health & Fitness

2014 Legislative Session Preview

Dear Neighbors,

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who came out to the listening sessions I held last weekend with Sen. Limmer in Rogers, Dayton and Maple Grove. We received great input and had numerous conversations about issues important to the northwest suburbs.

If you weren’t able to make it to one of the sessions, please feel free to contact my office with your questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you!

Find out what's happening in Maple Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


2014 Legislative Session Preview

Find out what's happening in Maple Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 2014 legislative session begins tomorrow.  

1) Rep. Peppin supports legislation to save jobs, help small businesses and protect taxpayers

2) “Unsession” agenda doesn’t match actual legislative priorities

 

1) Rep. Peppin supports legislation to save jobs, help small businesses and protect taxpayers

This session I support the repeal of three business-to-business (B2B) taxes that were hastily added to last year’s tax bill. These extend burdensome costs to businesses—and ultimately you, the consumer—for warehousing/storage services, commercial equipment repairs, and telecommunications equipment purchases.

In our economy, nearly every item is warehoused before going on sale, boosting the costs on everything from groceries to snowmobiles to shoes…you name it!

The 7% sales tax on telecommunications equipment discourages innovation and expansion, and may have the effect of stifling broadband development, especially in Greater Minnesota. Farmers and restaurant owners are also getting hit hard with the commercial equipment repair tax, taking more and more money from their bottom lines.

Both Democrats and Republicans acknowledge the B2B taxes were a mistake. Let’s repeal them to support our small businesses and keep the jobs they provide in Minnesota.

We can also alleviate the tax burden placed on Minnesota families by repealing some of the other $2.4 billion tax and fee increases that are being paid for by all folks of all income levels. Federal tax conformity is also another important issue that should be done in short order so that filing taxes is easier and less expensive.

Recent budget reports show that Minnesotans were over-taxed last year by about $1 billion. One option is to use those funds to pad our budget reserves and give tax relief to hardworking taxpayers.

 

2) “Unsession” agenda doesn’t match actual legislative priorities

Gov. Mark Dayton says this year should be an “unsession,” where legislators repeal needless laws on the books. However, that runs counter to what we’ve seen thus far from legislative majorities, who seem to have a different agenda from the governor.

Let’s take a look at what’s on the agenda for 2014:

·       Metro Area Sales Tax Increase: Talk around the Capitol is that legislative leaders want to pay for light rail line deficits by increasing the metro area sales tax…once again. Last year, tens of millions of General Fund tax dollars were used to keep light rail lines on life support.

·       Gas Tax: Some majority members have discussed adding a sales tax on wholesale fuel, which would ultimately be passed on to consumers. I believe we should prioritize existing revenue sources for critical infrastructure projects before we ask taxpayers for more of their hard-earned money.

·       MNsure Bailout? Due to poor enrollment numbers in the private market, as well as extremely high operational costs, MNsure leaders have said they may ask the state legislature for more money or raise taxes on each plan sold. This request comes after $160 million has been spent on technology and start-up costs, in addition to over $26,000 in bonuses awarded to executives last fall as the roll-out faltered.

A capital investment bill is definitely on the horizon as is always the case in even-numbered years. I also expect headlines to feature a mandated minimum wage increase, as well as legislation to legalize medical marijuana.

 

*****

Once again, I will serve on the following House committees:

·       Government Operations (GOP Lead)

·       Rules and Legislative Administration

·       Taxes

Click on the names of the committees to be directed to their official websites. From there, you can track our weekly schedules and bill hearings.

For thoughts on any legislative issue, please continue to contact me anytime. My door is always open! Thank you for your role in making Minnesota a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Have a great week,

Joyce

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A




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