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State Representative Matt Dean
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3018
For more information contact: Amber Berhow 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM MATT DEAN April 20, 2006
Greetings from the Capitol! Here are a few happenings from this last week:
MAKING CHEMICAL HEALTH SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE
A bill I authored to permit interstate contracts for chemical health services passed in the House by a vote of 133-0. Under this bill, patients would be able to receive care closer to home in many instances. This would be most beneficial to those living near state borders. Individuals could obtain chemical health services in a neighboring state, while the home state still provided payment. There is precedent for such interstate cooperation. Currently, Minnesota participates in an Interstate Mental Health Compact, which allows the interstate transfer of patients when clinically beneficial.
This bill is a win-win provision for people receiving chemical health care. We want to make sure folks receive quality, seamless care without traveling far from home. I am pleased this measure received unanimous support in the House. The bill now travels to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen.
HONORING MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS
This week the House passed a resolution to congratulate and honor the Minnesota National Guard on the 150th anniversary of its founding. In 2005, the Minnesota National Guard activated 5,670 soldiers and airmen to support Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. An additional 2,600 soldiers were deployed to Iraq this spring. We are tremendously grateful to the members of our Minnesota National Guard for their service to our state and country.
TAX FREEDOM DAY® IS APRIL 26TH
Tax Freedom Day is the date each calendar year that Americans have earned enough income to pay all taxes for the year. According to the Tax Foundation, our nation will devote 31.6% of income to taxes in 2006. In other words, that's 116 days, 77 of which will go towards federal taxes, and 39 of which will go towards state and local taxes. In 2006 we will work longer to pay taxes than we will to fund our housing, food, and clothing combined. While tax dollars are necessary to fund public expenditures, this day serves to remind us that we are taxed enough already, and lawmakers would do better to make the most of the tax dollars we already have. Go to www.TaxFoundation.org for more details on Tax Freedom Day and where Minnesota ranks as a state in taxes paid.
News Items
- DEAN SWORN IN FOR FIFTH TERM - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 3:00PM)
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT DEAN SELECTED AS 2010 HENRY TOLL FELLOW - (Posted: 2010-05-26 00:00:00)
- State Rep. Dean Reacts to St. Croix Bridge Decision - (Posted: 2010-03-15 00:00:00)
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