Dear Neighbors,
It was another busy week in Saint Paul as committees got to work, hearing important bills (health care reform and REAL ID among them), and receiving overviews from a number of state agencies.
Federal tax conformity also passed out of the Senate Thursday and has been sent to the governor’s desk for signature.
Exempting Social Security
This week, I signed onto legislation authored by Rep. Kathy Lohmer that will phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits. This is an important issue for thousands of Minnesotans, and I hope we can incorporate this bill into a larger tax relief package this session.
Around one million Minnesotans receive Social Security, and under current law up to 85 percent of those benefits are subject to federal and state income tax, depending on income levels. By exempting these benefits from state income tax, we not only join a significant number of states that already do this, but we also provide meaningful tax relief to Minnesota seniors - many of whom live on a fixed income. This policy change would also encourage more people to stay in our state after retirement.
I will keep you updated on this bill, as well as other tax provisions that are moving through the House this session.
Real ID
The House began moving the Real ID compliance bill, House File 3, through committees this week.
The federal Real ID law was passed by Congress in 2005 in the middle of the night, as an amendment onto a bill—not a very good way to make legislation.
While I understand the intent in part, of making it more difficult for potential terrorists to obtain a fake ID card, there were enough concerns with the bill that numerous states rose up to oppose it, Minnesota included.
In Minnesota, 200 of 201 legislators voted to prohibit Real ID implementation in 2009. Legislatively from the federal government, not much has changed since this time. The federal government has pushed back its deadlines of enforcement numerous times, and we do not know exactly yet where the Trump administration will stand on this issue.
Still, Minnesota is currently in the minority of states not in compliance or on the path to compliance with this federal law, and if this does not change, Minnesotans would no longer be able to use a regular state-issued driver’s license to board domestic flights after January 2018.
Whatever happens, please know an enhanced driver’s license or passport would continue be an acceptable form of ID at airports and for federal facilities.
In committee this week, I shared my concerns, in part stating that "Minnesota is faced with a terrible choice. If Minnesota does not comply, its residents will have to live the uncertainty of whether their driver’s licenses will continue to be accepted as a valid travel document on commercial airlines. If we do comply, we are ceding a power that we have had since 1908 – that is, how we manage and process our driver’s licenses – to the federal government, and we are not ceding it solely to other elected officials –but, even more concerning – we are ceding it to an unelected official – the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who can at any time expand the use of the REAL ID."
While I do not support House File 3, I understand that many Minnesotans and legislators representing other districts do. For that reason, I voted to allow House File 3 to pass through committee hearings to move the bill forward and give everyone a chance to have their voice heard on a full House Floor vote.
I know this issue is something that will be debated more in the coming weeks, and as always, I welcome you to contact my office to share your thoughts on Real ID compliance or other matters.
Happy Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Day
I just wanted to take a moment to wish you a Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in the twentieth century, advocating for civil rights through nonviolent activism to improve the lives and liberties of millions of Americans. Many also celebrate this holiday as a day of national service, volunteering to help others in the community in honor of his memory. Also, if you have time, I encourage you to see one of his more famous speeches, which is one of my favorites: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm
However you plan to spend MLK Day, I hope you enjoy your day.
Staying in Touch
Please know my office is available should you need assistance on a matter of state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn. I also welcome your input and ideas on legislation and matters moving through the Minnesota House. I am here to serve you!
Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Abigail