Statewide View: Four reforms enacted now could benefit all Minnesotans

Minnesota faces serious challenges on the economy, on education, on public safety, and on many other issues. On many of these is deep disagreement that will not be resolved anytime soon.

But what if we stepped back to consider policies that, although not correcting every ill facing our state, would improve the lives of Minnesotans and have the potential to garner broad bipartisan support? Here are four simple policy reforms that would do just that, improving our state for the long term.

One is tax relief for all. Last month, the Minnesota Private Business Council, where I serve as president, announced an economic renewal plan , the central component of which is eliminating the lowest income-tax bracket. Eliminating this bracket would reduce rates from 5.35% to 0% for approximately the first $40,000 of income for individuals and $50,000 of income for married couples. This substantial tax relief, translating to a savings of up to $2,500 per taxpayer, would put $4 billion annually back into the pockets of Minnesota workers and families. In an era when inflation is stretching family pocketbooks, this would ease the financial burdens on everyday people.

The move also would make Minnesota a more attractive place for skilled workers, fostering an environment where workers are drawn to our state. Such a move would be particularly timely in light of the state’s severe labor shortages. As has been reported, over the last few years, nearly 30,000 working-age Minnesotans have left our state. Making it more financially beneficial to work here is one way to address local labor shortages. In addition, focusing on tax relief that benefits the working class the most can be embraced by both the left and right in our state.

For those concerned about the impact on the state budget, since 2010 the state budget has grown immensely , increasing 130%, while our GDP has grown by just 22%. There is immense room for cuts in our state’s budget.

A second policy reform to enact now is dealing with waste and fraud, everything from the Feeding our Future fraud to the tens of millions the Minnesota Department of Human Services lost over the past 10 years. Another initiative we at the Minnesota Private Business Council have proposed is granting power to county attorneys throughout Minnesota to pursue cases of fraud and maladministration in taxpayer-funded programs. County attorneys are experienced in related areas and would be another set of checks in our system to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and that public trust in our government is restored. It is a common-sense solution to a serious problem and has already garnered bipartisan support .

Three, let’s go nuclear. Alongside tax relief, the state should reform its energy policy by lifting its moratorium on new nuclear energy, which was instituted in 1994. Nuclear power is safe (the technology has evolved significantly since previous nuclear disasters), sustainable, and an extremely efficient energy source. Substantially expanding nuclear energy in Minnesota could dramatically reduce energy bills for families and businesses. This policy change also has the potential for bipartisan support. Look no further than deep-blue Illinois taking this step just last year.

And a fourth policy reform to enact now is ending illegal straw purchases. Minnesota continues to have massive public-safety challenges, with communities across the state still grappling with persistent and serious criminal activity. In 2023, murders in Minneapolis were still 50% higher than in 2019, and murders in St. Paul are still nearly double what they had been before 2020. Statewide, 2023 saw 179 murders, again a more than 50% increase relative to 2019.

Many will recall in February when three Burnsville, Minnesota, first responders were murdered by a man using firearms allegedly obtained from straw purchases made by the man’s girlfriend. A straw purchase occurs when an individual buys a firearm for someone ineligible to purchase or possess them.

For years, Minnesota Republicans have offered legislation to make illegal straw purchases a felony while increasing penalties on illegal straw purchases. This legislation was supported by the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus but has been continually thwarted by DFL majorities unwilling to increase penalties on any crime. That changed following the Burnsville murders, with some DFL legislators now supporting previous Republican-led bills.

Increasing the penalties on illegal straw purchases won’t solve the state’s public-safety challenges overnight, but it would certainly help and is now supported by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Likewise, these four reforms won’t cure every ailment facing our state, but they are a good start, and all Minnesotans would benefit from them.

Jim Schultz of Plymouth, Minnesota, is president of the Minnesota Private Business Council ( growthmn.com ) and was the 2022 Republican nominee for Minnesota attorney general. He wrote this for the News Tribune.