The opening of the 2018 Legislature is just around the corner and it has the makings of a very important session.

Needs such as education, roads and infrastructure continue to be key issues. But when Rep Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent and Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, join their fellow legislators in St. Paul, they will be facing some other tough issues thanks to developments in Washington, D.C.

Swedzinski is quick to point out that Minnesotans are benefitting from more than $650 million in tax relief passed for the 2018-19 biennium and will enjoy approximately $750 million in tax relief for 2020-21. But how will the major tax cut passed by Congress recently affect Minnesotans? Swedinski says the state Legislature will have to address the tax conformity to bring the state up to speed with changes at the federal level.

And President Donald Trump just released his proposed budget that calls for the slashing the budgets of many social services and other domestic programs. Not all of these budget proposals will get through Congress, but any changes are liable to affect Minnesota in some way.

And let’s not forget the faltering Minnesota Licensing and Registration system. Minnesota taxpayers have already paid $100 million over the past 10 years on this system and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety wants $43 million more to fix the many glitches.

We urge southwest Minnesota residents to contact Swedzinski and Dahms and express your thoughts and wishes before each of them head to St. Paul. Swedzinski can be reached at rep.chris.swedzinski@house.mn or 651-296-5374. Dahms can be reached at sen.gary.dahms@senate.mn or 651-296-8138.