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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
OP/ED COLUMN
Veteran Homestead Credit Expansion
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
As the Lead Republican on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the Army Reserves, I understand the importance of taking care of our veterans. The transition back to home life after protecting our country overseas can be difficult for many of our servicemen and women, but it is especially difficult for our veterans who have been severely injured in the line of duty. We must ease this transition and show our support for the great Minnesotans who are willing to sacrifice so much to protect this great state and country.
I have joined with my colleague Representative Dan Severson and am co-authoring House File 3507, which is designed to expand the Veterans Homestead Credit. Under the credit all or a portion of the value of a veteran’s home is excluded from the property’s taxable market value. The cap for veterans with a disability rating of 70 percent is $150,000. If a veteran is completely, permanently disabled the cap is increased to $300,000. The veteran must be honorably discharged to be eligible.
The Veterans Homestead Credit saves our disabled veterans and their families a substantial amount on property taxes each year. The money saved can be used to help them cope with the injuries they’ve sustained and better prepare them to rebuild their lives. The problem is if a veteran dies, under current law, benefits are extended to the surviving spouse for only one additional year. This bill extends spousal benefits indefinitely until the spouse remarries, sells the property or transfers ownership.
I think most Minnesotans would agree when a disabled veteran passes away, their family should not be deprived of the benefits they sacrificed so much for. I am encouraged by the bipartisan support shown for the bill so far. It has passed the House Property Tax Committee, and we are currently waiting to hear what the Senate will do. I am optimistic it will be part of the upcoming Omnibus tax bill.
TAX FREEDOM DAY
Everyone knows April 15 is Tax Day, but many of you are probably unaware that April 13 was Tax Freedom Day in Minnesota. April 13, 2010 marks the day Minnesotans have worked enough to pay off federal, state and local taxes. The money goes straight into your pocket from now on. The national Tax Freedom Day was April 9 this year. Minnesotans have the eighth highest taxes in the nation.
To put it in perspective, this year you worked 103 days to pay off the government. According to the Tax Foundation, Americans will spend more on taxes this year than food, shelter and clothing combined. These statistics are staggering, and raising taxes to balance our budget deficit should not be an option. You pay too much already. Legislators must be fiscally responsible and keep the reckless spending in check.
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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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