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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL WOULD HELP NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
On both a professional and a personal level, I feel passionate about our friends and family members who reside in nursing homes. Other than our children, these residents are the most vulnerable, and rely almost totally on others to take care of their physical, emotional and social needs.
While this level of care is necessary and often life saving, the cost of paying for that care can be a challenge to the resident and his or her family. Many families are well prepared for this stage of life, while for others, it is a financial strain that can quickly exhaust their personal assets.
Last week, I introduced a bill that would offer a tax credit to those individuals who are private-pay residents in a non-state operated nursing home. The maximum yearly credit would be about $2 thousand, and could be claimed by either the resident or an individual who paid the surcharge on behalf of the resident. If passed, this credit would apply for taxable years after 2005.
I also support another bill that would provide more funding for nursing homes. Two years ago, the state legislature froze the payment rates to nursing homes because of a massive budget deficit. In addition, another $32 million was trimmed from other nursing home payments. As a result, one in four of Minnesota's 402 nursing homes is at risk of closing because of financial losses.
The funding bill proposes a 5% funding increase over the current budget for 2007. If this bill passes, it would generate about $193 million in additional revenue for nursing homes in the next year; two-thirds of this is earmarked for staff. Providing adequate state funding to our nursing homes is another way we can support the good work that they do and help them keep their costs down.
These are concerns that affect all of us. Whether we currently have family members receiving this level of care, or could face this in the future, we need to continue to work on their behalf. We need good legislation that will benefit our nursing homes and our loved ones who live there.
Town Hall Meeting scheduled
Because it is difficult to meet with all of you personally, I have scheduled a town hall meeting for next Tuesday, April 4. The meeting will be held at the Faribault Community Center Peterson Room, 15 Division St West, from 7 – 9 p.m. I will be available to answer your questions and hear your concerns and feedback. State Representative Ann Lenczewski, who is the lead DFL on taxes, will be there, as well as one or two other representatives who have expertise on issues such as education and childcare.
Please feel free to contact me with advice or questions. You can call me at 1-800-292-0012, write to me at 239 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 or email me at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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