Neighbors,
On May 25th, we adjourned after we finished our two-year state budget, which the Governor has signed into law. I’m proud of the way we worked together to forge bipartisan solutions that I strongly believe will improve Minnesotans’ lives. We’ll return to the Capitol on February 11th, and in the meantime I look forward to working in our community year-round to hear your concerns and ideas.
Now that session is over, I’m out meeting with you and our community and I hope to continue hearing from you! Join Rep. Nelson, Senator Eaton and I on Saturday from 10-noon at the Brooklyn Center Community Center!
Below is a brief overview highlighting key accomplishments and bills we passed to protect health care, invest in our students, and make our communities safer. If you want to read more, the Pioneer Press has a good, comprehensive overview here.
Stopped at TPT studios to learn about their cultural programming
Education
There is an uneven patchwork of education quality across the state. People shouldn’t have to feel that they have to move to a different school district for their child to get a quality education. This unequal system hurts children, putting some at a greater disadvantage right from the start. The budget we passed increases per-pupil funding for all students across the state, by 2 percent each year over the next two years. We also address special education funding shortfalls that can stretch school staff and resources thin. There is a lot more to do to improve the quality of schools in our state, but this budget is a good first step.
Health Care
The House DFL focused on several health care priorities this session. We worked hard to ensure Minnesotans can afford their health insurance premiums, prescription drugs, get the care they need when they need it, and to protect health care access for over a million Minnesotans. Our Health Budget was a bipartisan compromise, and we will not stop trying to pass legislation to bring down the cost of health care and make sure drugs like Insulin are available and affordable to those who need it.
Higher Education
Democrats fought hard to freeze tuition for students enrolled at University of Minnesota and Minnesota State campuses, but Senate Republicans blocked it from happening during budget negotiations. The new higher education budget produced by divided government is a bipartisan compromise that includes some measures focused on college affordability.
I’m proud that my initiative to bring $1 million to College Possible for low-income high school seniors made it into law. College Possible removes barriers that stand between young people and earning their degree. There is a lot of work left to do to ensure all Minnesotans have access to quality higher education and job training, but this is a good start.
Rep. Vang with the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus at the end of session
Tax Fairness
We fought successfully to make our tax system more fair for families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses. We’ll put more money in the pockets of working families by providing a middle class tax cut, cutting taxes on Social Security, and doubling the income level Minnesotans can earn before paying a penny in taxes by doubling the standard deduction. For too long our tax system has favored corporations and the wealthy while under-funding schools and contributing to race, geography, and income-based opportunity gaps. The Star Tribune has a comprehensive overview of our tax bill, here.
We passed my legislation to increase local government aid, so that communities like ours can make investments in infrastructure, safety, and our parks without relying on our property tax payers. Brooklyn Park will receive nearly $1.4 million next year in LGA funding, and Brooklyn Center will receive approximately $1.8 million.
This bill will also greatly simplify the tax filing process by bringing Minnesota into federal tax conformity.
Transportation
All Minnesotans deserve safe transportation, with reliable roads, bridges and transit. Transportation infrastructure keeps us safe, creates good jobs in the short and long term, and makes our state a better place to live and do business.
Crumbling roads and bridges cost the average Minnesotan over $1,000 a year in gas, lost time, and car repairs. Senate Republicans blocked revenue to fund transportation projects, which would have delivered sustainable, dedicated and long-term funding to build a modern, 21st century transportation system that people and employers are asking for.
I will continue to work on delivering a reliable, modern, and sustainable transportation system that lets everyone travel to work, school, and everywhere else safely and efficiently.
Priorities for the Future
Our final state budget is the first step on a longer road toward a more prosperous, more equal state. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to prioritize important measures to keep our air, water and land clean for future generations, to ensure sustainable, long-term funding for transportation, to curb gun violence while protecting lawful gun-owners’ rights, and to ensure all Minnesotans have a fair shot at success.
Thank you for reaching out, following along, or coming to the Capitol to advocate for our community this session. I look forward to working with you in the interim so we’re ready to head back in February and continue to fight to pass measures that will lift up our community.
Sincerely,
Samantha Vang
State Representative – 40B