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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
OP/ED COLUMN
WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Dear Friends,
As part of an effort to keep you informed of activities at the Legislature, I send periodic email updates outlining items of interest. If you would prefer not to receive such updates, simply let me know and your name will be removed from the list.
Military Support and Prayer Night at the American Legion:
Thursday evening I was honored to attend and participate in a wonderful event at the Forest Lake Legion Post #225. This event brought together by many area pastors to honor and support our troops through a night of prayer. Over 200 attended the event which featured Sen. Ray Vandeveer, Mayer Stev Stegner of Forest Lake, Retired Col. Jim Knoll, members of the VFW, area pastors, family members of troops serving overseas, community members, and supporters of our troops. This was a wonderful event for our troops and for me personally. Both of my sons have served in Iraq, and one is still currently in Iraq. As a parent and Veteran, I was truly moved by this tremendous display of support and payer for our troops. As I told the group, I was not attending the event as a state representative but rather I was attending as a parent- making it all the more memorable
Session Update:
As the Legislature returned this week after the Easter Recess, the remaining major spending bills are being processed through the final committee hearings before they come the House floor for a full vote.
One particular bill of interest to me is the K-12 Education Finance omnibus bill. The bill would spend $13.9 billion, or just over 40% of the state budget for the next biennium. At the heart of this bill is a funding boost that will be generated by an income tax increase. This bill contains very little of what Governor Pawlenty has recommended for K-12 financing, and if a bill containing an income tax increase reaches his desk it will be vetoed.
This pattern is likely to repeat itself for many of the major omnibus spending bills. The DFL majority has included many "poison pills" in these bills that Governor Pawlenty has made it clear he does not support and will veto. For example, the Higher Education Bill contains the "dream act" that will give in-state tuition benefits to children of illegal aliens. The State Government Finance bill contains domestic-partner benefits, the transportation bill contains a gas tax increase, etc* Unless the Majority party starts to work more closely with the Governor, a showdown at the end of the session is looming.
Last Minute Tax Help:
While much of the talk around the Capitol the past few weeks has centered on raising your taxes, as you know your current tax due date is April 15. If you are in need of some last minute assistance, the Minnesota Department of Revenue has provided a number of toll-free help lines that are available to taxpayers.
Individual Taxpayer Self Service: 800.657.3676
Individual Taxpayer Assistance: 800.652.9094
Collection Assistance: 800.657.3909
Sales Tax Assistance: 800.657.3777
Withholding Assistance: 800.657.3594
Have a Great Weekend!
Bob Dettmer
News Items
- Memorial Day Message - (Posted: May 27 2013 2:18PM)
- Dettmer Statement on HF956 - Omnibus Energy Bill - (Posted: May 8 2013 3:10PM)
- Minneapolis Veterans Deserve Better - (Posted: May 3 2013 3:31PM)
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