Minnesota House Republicans have drafted a package of bills I, Rep. Shane Mekeland, R-Clear Lake, said would make Minnesota a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

I said the bills, authored as part of the GOP’s “Make Minnesota Affordable” initiative, focuses on lowering energy costs, reducing the tax burden, and ensuring budget surpluses benefit hardworking Minnesotans.

Families and businesses are struggling to get by, but Democrats in St. Paul spent the $18 billion surplus to grow government instead of giving it back to the taxpayers, and then raised our taxes by $10 billion to boot. It has to stop. We need more balance at the Capitol and, thankfully, that’s what House Republicans bring to the table after breaking up the Democrata trifecta. We’re focusing on the issues Minnesotans care about most, including lessening their tax burden, protecting the people’s money from the state and diversifying our energy production.

Bills in the House Republicans’ Make Minnesota Affordable package include:

Modernizing Minnesota’s renewable energy policies by expanding the state’s definition of eligible renewable energy to include hydroelectric capacity. It also delays standards for electric utilities which I’ve called unrealistic, protects reliable energy sources, and ends the state’s nuclear moratorium. These reforms will help stabilize energy costs and secure a balanced energy future for Minnesota families and businesses.

Delivering sweeping tax reforms, repealing the controversial retail delivery fee and cutting the tax on Social Security income once and for all. By requiring a comprehensive analysis of tax policies, this bill ensures a fairer system for Minnesota taxpayers. This represents a commitment to economic growth and reducing financial stress for families and seniors alike.

Ensuring that future state budget surpluses are returned to the people of Minnesota. By proposing a constitutional amendment, this bill codifies the principle that taxpayer money belongs in the hands of those who earned it. The measure guarantees that Minnesota families, not government bureaucracy, benefit from the state’s financial successes..

As you can see, House Republicans are working on bills to help all Minnesotans instead of catering to the radical fringe as was the case with one-party control. These proposals are among our top priorities this year because they would help all Minnesotans do better. It’s just too bad House Democrats started this session by refusing to go to the Capitol and causing a legislative shutdown that has delayed passage of these bills and other important subjects.