Press Conference - Senate Republicans Announce 2022 Session Priorities

Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller and members of the Senate Republican Caucus presented their priorities for the 2022 legislative session during a press conference Wednesday, January 26. "We know that crime rates are up, kids are falling behind and record inflation is eating away at family budgets," Miller said as he outlined Senate Republican goals of providing permanent tax relief, improving law enforcement efforts and advancing parents involvement in education.

Specifically, the Republican plan would lower the tax rates across all tax brackets, with additional relief aimed at lower and middle income families. Also, the plan calls for the elimination of social security taxes on all seniors. In the area of public safety, the Republicans' proposal would establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for violent offenders and provide grants for recruiting additional law enforcement officers. Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Chair Warren Limmer also said the Senate will call for the repeal of the five-year cap on probation.

In education, Senate Republicans call for additional funding to improve student reading skills, promote a Parent's Bill of Rights and address students' mental health by requiring in-person learning. Furthermore, Senate Education Chair Roger Chamberlain said Senate Republicans will support efforts to reduce screen time and social media use among students.