Dear Neighbor,
A supplemental finance bill with numerous provisions I authored or co-authored is becoming law after Gov. Mark Dayton provided final approval this week.
Maybe the most notable provision in the omnibus package repeals the state tax on military retirement income, a change that will benefit an estimated 18,000 retired veterans living in our state. Howe said he is hopeful that number will grow by reducing the number of veterans who relocate while also attracting more into our state.
Legislators have been working to eliminate this tax for decades, so it's nice we got the job done. Minnesota has been one of very few states to fully tax military retirement pay and it was time to fix that and make our state a more welcoming place for veterans to start a second career and bring those federal dollars and benefits into our state’s economy.
Other legislation of mine in the package include:
- A stipulation protecting veterans who are the subject of hearings from absorbing undue legal costs.
- The Hometown Heroes Act modifies “killed in the line of duty” to meet federal conformity and expanding eligibility of benefits by including public safety officers (police, fire, paramedic) killed in the line of duty.
- $200,000 for combating invasive aquatic species at Lake Koronis.
- $240,000 split between Rocori and Buffalo school districts to resolve a Q Comp program funding issue.
- Legislation to help resolve water and economic development problems caused by expanded DNR water access restrictions in Cold Spring.
Also of note is the package includes $35 million for expanding rural broadband. When combined with federal funding, Minnesota is expected to see nearly $120 million in funding for broadband expansion in 2017 alone. Another provision provides people who have a stillborn child with a state tax credit of $2,000.
With so many good provisions, it's a relief to see the governor signed this bill into law. There was great bipartisan support in the Legislature, but nothing was official until now. People will be really glad this bill has finally became law.
Good luck,
Jeff