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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Sr. (DFL)

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Legislative Update - January 20, 2017

Friday, January 20, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

I am sharing several updates from our third week of the legislative session below. You’ll find details about an upcoming town hall, information on tax conformity legislation recently signed into law, and information on my recent appointment to the Legislative Commission on Planning & Fiscal Policy and the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

Town Hall – February 4th

On Saturday, February 4th from 9:30-11:00 a.m., I will be co-sponsoring with State Representative Mike Freiberg and State Senator Ann Rest a town hall meeting at the Hennepin County Library in Golden Valley (830 Winnetka Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427). Members of the public are welcome to attend with questions. This meeting is free and open to the public. Individuals may come and go as they please.

Legislative Planning and Fiscal Policy, Coordinating Commission Appointments

I shared in a press release earlier this week that I have been appointed to the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) and the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) for the 2017-2018 legislative biennium, following the appointment by House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Minority Leader Melissa Hortman.

The Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy was created to provide the Legislature with in-depth analysis of projected state revenues, expenditures, and tax expenditures. In considering these matters, the commission must gauge the Legislature's role in state expenditures and consider the long-term needs of the state, while not duplicating work done by standing committees of the House and the Senate.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission was created to coordinate the legislative activities of the Senate and House of Representatives. It serves as the umbrella organization for legislative commissions, joint agencies, and other boards such as the office of Geographic Information Services, the Compensation Council, the Joint House/Senate Subcommittee on Claims, the Office on the Economic Status of Women, the Regent Candidate Advisory Council, the Subcommittee on Employee Relations, the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Trustee Candidate Advisory Council.

The work of these commissions provides a unique opportunity to think about how we can work together to continue improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our state government, and that of the legislature, for the benefit of all Minnesotans.

Tax Conformity Passes

Governor Dayton has already signed tax conformity that the legislature passed in the first week of 2017. It was the first bill before the House and matches Minnesota’s income tax laws with new breaks passed by the federal government and will benefit 178,000 Minnesotans. Passing tax conformity early will enable tax forms and computer programs to be up to date when you file your 2016 taxes and help Minnesotans to maximize their refunds.

If you need more town hall information, or have questions, comments or concerns on any legislative topic you can reach me by phone at 651-296-4255 or by email at rep.lyndon.carlson@house.mn .

Sincerely,

Lyndon Carlson

State Representative