When your state has a nearly $8 billion budget surplus at its disposal, common sense would tell you taxes do not need to be raised under any circumstances because the state has already collected too much of your money. But most of us know that common sense...

The Minnesota House of Representatives is back in business, as the 2022 session began on January 31. We will have a number of items to address, but I expect three topics will dominate the headlines: public safety, bonding, and the state surplus. You’ll recall...

At today’s Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government hearing, Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) announced that he and State Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) will be sponsoring legislation this session that would provide resources to...

Christmas arrived early at the Minnesota State Capitol this week, as state economists unveiled a state budget surplus of $7.746 billion – the largest surplus amount in Minnesota’s history. From my perspective, it’s good that the state’s economic condition is...

Summer has ended, and fall has arrived. I’m hopeful you’ve been able to get out and enjoy the nice weather lately. Before you know it, we’ll have snow on the ground again. The legislative session ended a few months ago, but talks have continued regarding a...

ST. PAUL – Recently, State Representative John Petersburg (R-Waseca) began service on a pair of transportation-related task forces in the Minnesota Legislature.Petersburg, who serves as the Republican Lead on the Minnesota House Transportation Policy and...

Nearly five months of session have come to a close. On May 17, the Minnesota legislature was constitutionally obligated to end session. And yet, we do not have a state budget. We do not have an end to the governor’s emergency powers.   It shouldn’t have been...

Over the past week, the Minnesota House has been approving budget bills within specific areas of state government. This is all part of the process that happens every two years when a new budget must be set based on expected incoming revenues. With the revenue...

This week’s news from the Minnesota House Transportation Committee was a bit of a surprise to me, as the House majority unveiled a budget plan that would raise taxes and fees in numerous areas, including the tax on gasoline. That House Democrats wanted to raise...

Anniversaries often recognize momentous occasions. Wedding dates often come to mind, particularly a couple’s 25th or 50th commemoration. On March 13, Minnesota will note the anniversary of what has become a very controversial decision. It is the date Governor...