Minnesota House of Representatives

Accessibility menu

Menu

Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Chris Swedzinski

251 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5374

For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520

Posted: 2012-03-02 00:00:00
Share on: 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

News from Representative Swedzinski

Wednesday, Minnesota Management and Budget released the annual February budget forecast indicating another surplus of $323 million to be added to the state reserves. Unemployment in Minnesota continues to fall, currently at 5.7 percent, below the national average of 8.5 percent.

Due to reduced spending and slowing the growth of government we have seen a forecasted surplus for a second time. Turning a $5 billion deficit into a $1.2 million surplus means that our economy is recovering, and that reduced state spending and not raising taxes continues to be beneficial for Minnesotans.

Minnesota’s property tax relief programs provide property tax relief directly to taxpayers. Last year, the Legislature passed and Governor Dayton signed a $30 million increase in direct refunds for Minnesota homeowners.

The two main programs for property tax relief are, the Property Tax Refund for all homeowners, subject to income guidelines, and the Special Property Tax Refund designed for homeowners who see unusually large increases. You can find more information on property tax refunds on the website of the MN Department of Revenue.

This week I also introduced HF 2015, which was heard in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This bill would provide funding for Lake Redwood to make improvements. This bill would provide funds to the city of Redwood Falls to dredge Lake Redwood to increase the generator capacity of the hydroelectric dam.

I have introduced HF2406 that would allocate funds for the Amateur Sports facility in Marshall. Yesterday, members of the Marshall community came to St. Paul to testify on behalf of this bill after spending five hours battling the weather.

I wrote to you about HF 2333 last week, a bill regarding vehicle gas theft which was heard in the Civil Law Committee, it is my hope this bill will move forward and we will take a vote on the House floor soon.

Governor Dayton signed my bill, HF 1926, that allows businesses in Minnesota to export feed products to countries that have adopted good manufacturing practice rules.

Don’t forget to take my 2012 legislative survey if you haven’t already, I want to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Chris

News Items

Audio & Video

Galleries

No image galleries found

Minnesota House of Representatives  ·   100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN   55155   ·   Webmaster@house.mn