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State Representative Michael Beard
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8872
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
HOUSE BRIEFS
WEEK ONE EMAIL UPDATE
Friends and neighbors,
The 2007 legislative session is underway! Thank you for giving me this honor and thank you for signing up for my email updates. During the session I send out regular updates with news, facts and interesting information about the Minnesota House and all of state government. I hope you find them thought provoking and helpful.
TAKE NOTE – YOUR 2006 INCOME TAXES COULD GO DOWN
Today the House passed House File 8 to give you the tax relief passed in Washington last December. Governor Pawlenty will sign the bill as soon as next week. Here’s a breakdown: Eligible Minnesotans can deduct up to $4,000 in college tuition and other related costs, saving the average taxpayer $165; Teachers can deduct up to $250 on out-of-pocket classroom expenses, saving an average of $20, and; military personnel can now put their tax-exempt combat pay into a retirement savings plan without paying a penalty. These changes affect your 2006 taxes so check your eligibility as you fill out your forms in the coming weeks and months. For more information on filling out your taxes visit www.taxes.state.mn.us
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY – TRACKING STATE GRANTS
Not long after we officially started business, the Legislative Auditor released a report showing a severe lack of oversight in the way the government hands out grants to nonprofit agencies. In 2005 alone, Minnesota gave out $4.7 billion in grants but, according to the Auditor, they often lacked oversight or proper bidding procedures. Nonprofit agencies do a lot of important work in Minnesota, but we owe it to taxpayers to make sure that the money is being given out and used properly.
I was also pleased to learn that GOP leader Marty Seifert appointed to the Assistant GOP Whip for our caucus. This is a leadership position in which I’ll work with other GOP members to gain support for the major proposals we will sponsor in 2007.
That’s all for this update! Thank you for taking the time to read it and I look forward to talking with you again soon!
Mike
News Items
- Less Government Regulation Encourages Economic Growth - (Posted: 2012-02-27 00:00:00)
- MNDOT Awards Funding for Highway 101 Bridge Replacement - (Posted: 2012-03-30 00:00:00)
- Reform a Priority in 2012 - (Posted: 2012-01-25 00:00:00)
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