Voter ID, Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Pass House

We are wrapping up another busy week at the Capitol, where the most significant bills on the floor pertained to voter ID and jobs/tax relief.

Here is an overview of these topics:

VOTER ID
The House passed a bill (H.F. 2738) this week which would allow Minnesotans to decide whether citizens should be required to present photo ID in order to vote. Upon approval from the Senate (and pending any changes it may make), this question will appear on ballots this November: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification on election day and that the state provide free identification to eligible voters?”

Surveys continually show overwhelming support from Minnesotans. We spent approximately nine hours discussing this issue on the House floor Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Safeguards in place should address any concerns. As stated in the ballot question, citizens may receive a free photo ID if they do not already possess one. Citizens still will be able to cast a provisional vote without having a photo ID and verify there identity after the fact.

TAX RELIEF AND JOBS CREATION ACT
We also passed a bill Wednesday night which includes numerous measures designed to encourage long-term economic growth in Minnesota.

Key components include statewide business property tax relief, investment in innovation and emerging industries and placement programs for veterans.

Minnesota’s business property tax rate is among the highest in the country and our bill will help us be more competitive. It would freeze the statewide business property tax for one year and then begin a 12-year phase-out of this tax, allowing businesses to invest in products, services and jobs.

Other top provisions include:

• Providing $5 million in increased funding for the Angel Investment Tax Credit to spur more investment in Minnesota start-up companies.
• Increasing the Research and Development credit by $25 million to encourage entrepreneurship and make Minnesota a more attractive place to do business.
• Providing an up-front sales tax exemption for small businesses, allowing small business to invest in their business or hire additional employees rather than loaning that money to the state’s general fund as they complete a refund process.
• Establishing the Technology Corporate Franchise Tax Certificate Transfer Program. This helps small businesses to gain access to an immediate infusion of cash so they can invest in their operations and hire more employees.
• Implementing a tax credit for businesses that hire veterans.

I encourage the Senate to take swift action in approving this jobs/tax-relief bill so we can present it to the governor and urge his approval.