Getting things done for Minnesota

Since I started my work at the State Capitol in early January, the Senate has been committed to ending the delays and gridlock that, in the past, have stopped lawmakers from getting things done for Minnesota.

I’ve already supported bipartisan legislation to cut taxes, fund roads-andbridges infrastructure, and provide resources to help the local communities prosecute violent crime. These measures have all been signed into law by Governor Walz.

And unlike past years, my Senate colleagues and I are also confirming commissioners who run our state agencies and do the important work Minnesotans expect their government to do.

Successful Efforts to Cut Taxes, Invest in Infrastructure, Make Communities Safer In mid-January, the Senate passed – and the governor signed into law – a bill providing over $100 million in tax relief helping 600,000 Minnesota taxpayers take advantage of our state conforming to federal tax changes dating back to 2019. We did this quickly so that Minnesotans can benefit when filing their taxes this year.

The infrastructure bill will invest $315 million across our state to make much-needed repairs to our roads and bridges improving safety and efficiency for drivers across the state. Not only that, but these improvements create jobs and economic development throughout Minnesota.

We also passed funding that will allow the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to assist smaller Minnesota counties that need help prosecuting violent crime. This added investment is important because in the past the AGO has only had the capacity to assist with homicide cases. The state will now be able to hire more prosecutors to help local county attorneys prosecute other violent crime, will free up our counties to tackle a much more manageable caseload, and will hold more violent offenders accountable. This, in turn, makes our communities safer. As an elected official and first responder, this focus on public safety is a top priority for me.

After a legislative session where so much was left on the table due to partisan politics, I am thrilled that the Senate is finally gaining the momentum that was stalled by gridlock for far too long. I look forward to doing more good work this session to benefit all Minnestoans.

——- Judy Seeberger represents District 41 in the State Senate