State lawmakers give session update to local businesspeople, officials

State lawmakers that represent this region in St. Paul spoke at a Forest Lake Area Chamber legislator breakfast, held annually at Famous Dave’s BBQ.

Rep. Bob Barrett, Rep. Bob Dettmer, Sen. Karin Housley and Sen. Michelle Benson gave brief issue updates and took a few questions. Rep. Barrett, R-Lindstrom, said the $500 property tax relief proposed in the governor’s budget is a misnomer and has nothing to do with property tax. It is a rebate based on income, for property owners. Barrett also questioned the governor’s proposal to lessen the rate but extend the state sales tax to new items and services.

Barrett said he’d had a “steady stream” of small businesspersons (in advertising etc.) testify that it would put them out of business. Sen. Housley added that she’s heard opposition as well from lawyers who will simply relocate to Wisconsin, continue to serve clients and avoid the proposed taxation. Housley, R-St. Mary’s Pt. is in her first term representing the area from Shafer to Stillwater. She’s finding the senate challenging but said it is rewarding for her to meet with people she represents and hear their issues. Bob Dettmer, R-Forest Lake, is in his fourth term at the state House.

With redistricting he now represents that same southeast corner of Chisago County along with Housley. Dettmer is focusing alot on veterans’ issues. He will be meeting with Governor Dayton this week, he said, to promote a bill he’s introduced to eliminate state tax on income of retired servicepeople. He prefers eliminating rather than “phasing out” the tax which has been discussed. Dettmer said these are people Minnesota should attract, and the state has to get in line with many other states that don’t tax retired military income. None of the four lawmakers at the breakfast supports the “insurance exchange” which states are mandated to create as part of national healthcare reform.

Dettmer felt this is “just another infrastructure” that doesn’t promise reduced costs, systemwide savings or that more people will even have access to healthcare. Sen Benson, representing the area west of Forest Lake, added that she doesn’t think the state insurance exchange will be ready to be activated October 1, which is the deadline; but then said the program is “moving too fast.” She wants greater controls in place for guarding electronic data in the exchange records. She also wants the state legislature to have a greater oversight role in exchange implementations.

Sen. Sean Nienow did not attend. U.S. Sen. Al Franken was invited too, but sent a letter outlining some of his issues which was read to attendees. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for the 6th District arrived towards the end of the 7 to 9 a.m. event and spoke for a few minutes. IN Q and A Rep. Dettmer responded to a question about MNPASS lanes saying he does not support the push to extend MNPASS lanes to the far north of the metro. He would support funding to do projects that include safe routes to schools and supports a statewide health improvement program like SHIP which was recently de-funded.

Elimination of state sales tax imposed on purchases made by local government isn’t going anywhere in this session, the legislators agreed. Rep. Barrett expects to get a hearing this week on his Education Funding bill that targets certain school districts, and tries to fill the gap in per pupil funding disparity among districts.