Matt’s work at the Capitol
Matt’s first term was a historic one, for Minnesota and for Blaine and Lexington. Rep. Norris helped lead the way passing 34 bills into law.
Highlights included securing $102.75 million for Highway 65, cutting property taxes, and passing $300 million in public safety aid.
A commitment to bipartisanship.
65% of Matt’s bills with co-authors had both Democratic and Republican authors from the House or Senate!
$102.75 million secured for Highway 65!
Rep. Norris worked tirelessly to deliver on this top priority for our district. With the state dollars Rep. Norris was able to secure, construction on the intersections from 99th Ave. to 117th Ave. can begin moving forward. Rep. Norris was the chief author of the Highway 65 bill in the House, and the only Blaine legislator to vote for all $102.75 million in funding.
Construction will likely begin in 2025-26 with some local road improvements likely starting sooner.
Rep. Matt Norris and House Transportation Chair Frank Hornstein discuss the $68.75 million for Highway 65 in the Transportation Budget Bill.
Cutting Taxes for Minnesotans
As Vice Chair of the Tax Committee, Rep. Norris helped pass the largest tax cut in state history!
Property Tax Cuts
Based on voter feedback, Rep. Norris proudly authored a “supercharged” targeted property tax refund for homeowners who see a big property tax spike. If your property tax bill increases by at least 6% from 2023 to 2024, you’ll get a refund of up to $2,500! Rep. Norris also updated the limits for the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. Now homes valued at up to $517,200 qualify.
Eliminating Taxes on Social Security
Rep. Norris led the effort with Rep. Lislegard to eliminate the tax on social security benefits for the vast majority of Minnesota seniors. Thanks to the changes Rep. Norris helped pass, 76% of Minnesota seniors won’t pay a single cent in state tax on their social security benefits while 84% will at least see a reduction. Married seniors making up to $140,000 and single seniors making up to $118,000 will benefit.
The Best Child Tax Credit in the Country
Rep. Norris worked with the other leaders of the House Tax Committee to craft a child tax credit that will cut childhood poverty in Minnesota by 33%. Eligible families will receive a credit of $1,750 per dependent.
On the House floor, Rep. Norris walked through some of the highlights of the Tax Bill he helped pass as Vice Chair of the Tax Committee.
Speaker Melissa Hortman hands Taxes Vice Chair Norris a pen after signing the enrollment of the Tax Bill, which represented the largest tax cut in Minnesota history!
Prioritizing Public Safety and the Heroes Who Keep Us Safe
Rep. Norris was the chief author in the House for $300 million in public safety aid for cities and counties to help keep our neighborhoods safe. Thanks to Rep. Norris’s efforts, Anoka County will receive over $4 million, Blaine will receive over $3 million, and Lexington will receive $117,000. Watch Matt’s report to the Legislature on the impact of these funds.
Rep. Norris also led the bipartisan effort to renew key powers for the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council. This group allows law enforcement agencies to coordinate and save money for county taxpayers.
And Rep. Norris led a coalition of police, community leaders, and young people to pass a bill to reduce the number of youth committing repeated crimes in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka Counties.
Rep. Norris also worked to keep our heroes safe. He was the chief author of a new law that will eliminate the use of cancer-causing “forever chemicals” called PFAS from firefighting foam. The new law also requires a report on how to eliminate PFAS from the gear firefighters wear. Finally, the bill Rep. Norris got passed creates a voluntary biomonitoring program for firefighters so they can catch any negative health effects from these chemicals early.
