Dear Neighbors,
The 2016 session is underway and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress of a few bills I am championing this session, in addition to a friendly reminder to file for your property tax refunds.
Child Support Bills
On the first day of session, HF 2740, which creates a permanent Child Support Task Force for the Department of Human Services was introduced and on March 16 was heard in the Health and Human Services Reform committee. The purpose of the task force is to advise the commissioner of DHS on matters relevant to maintaining effective and efficient child support guidelines that will best serve Minnesota children. The bill’s next stop is the Government Operations and Elections Committee.
HF 2889 was granted a hearing in the Civil Law and Data Practices Committee on March 17, and aims to make changes to the parenting expense adjustment currently used in the formula for calculating child support payments in Minnesota. Minnesota’s current child support guidelines provide for an adjustment in the basic support portion of a child support order based on the amount of parenting time spent with the child. The primary issue with the current parenting expense adjustment is that it creates two large “cliffs” where the change in the child support obligation hinges on one overnight equivalent—especially when a parent changes from 45 to 45.1 percent parenting time. The cliff also occurs when going from 10 to 9.9 percent parenting time.
These cliffs often cause conflict among parents during custody hearings because one or two overnight equivalents per year will initiate a significant change in the child support obligation amount. Parental conflict over child support amounts tied to these cliffs diminishes the best interests of the child from the center of custody and parenting time discussions, and shifts to conflict over child support payments.
Another issue with the current parenting expense adjustment is that it assumes that parenting expenses are the same for parents with 10 percent parenting time (or 36.5 overnight equivalents per year) and 45 percent parenting time (or 164.25 overnight equivalents per year). The bill will be heard next in the Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
Gun Control Survey Results
In early December, I sent a gun control survey to constituents to gain input and a better sense of Rochester’s stance on gun control measures. Of the eight questions I asked on my survey, the results for each answer consistently matched a range of 60-83 percent for those in favor of enacting gun control measures compared to 17-35 to those opposed.
Coincidentally, the returned surveys filed in around the same time as Star Tribune’s published its state wide gun control poll. According to the poll, 82-percent of Minnesotans support criminal background checks on all gun sales including in private transactions and at gun shows. Considering all of our state’s demographics, differing socio-economic levels, regional and political ideologies, Minnesotans are united on this and the writing is on the wall; now is the time to take action on enacting a common sense, comprehensive gun control law.
Although it is quite clear that Chair Tony Cornish will not hear my bills relating to gun control, the Star Tribune’s poll results are evidence that the support for gun control is a growing movement and Minnesota and our nation, is ready for positive change.
Filing for your Property Tax Refunds
As a friendly reminder, don’t forget to file for your Renter’s Property Tax or Homestead Credit Refund. To see if you qualify, take a look at the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Instruction Guide. The forms can be accessed here.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue also has information available on filing for free on their website. If you want to file yourself and wonder if you qualify for free electronic filing products or you want assistance from a free tax preparation site, visit this page.
Additionally, the IRS has free filing information available on their website. On the homepage of their website under the banner “Hot Topics” you will see a link entitled “Get Free Tax Preparation Help” or “Free File Tax Software”.
I hope this information is of help to you. As always feel free to contact me on any issue of interest or concern. I can be reached at: 651-296-9249 or 800-657-3855 or via email at: rep.kim.norton@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Kim Norton
State Representative