Canvas Health came to Saint Paul in support of HF 501
Visiting with firefighters this week who came to discuss issues important to them and their line of work
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Phasing Out the Social Security Tax
This session, I am co-authoring legislation to phase out the state income tax on Social Security benefits. This is an important issue for thousands of Minnesotans, many of whom are at or nearing retirement age, 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. What’s more, this commonsense policy change would also encourage more people to stay in our state after retirement.
I know many constituents have contacted me already this session advocating for this change, and I will keep you posted on the bill’s progress.
House File 463
Recently in the Government Operations and Elections Committee, my bipartisan legislation to expand in-person absentee voting was heard. If signed into law, this legislation would allow counties the option to allow voters to either mail in an absentee ballot or vote early and place the ballot directly into the ballot counter. What’s more, this legislation would remove the previous seven-day limit allowing counties to offer this in-person service throughout the absentee voting period.
This legislation preserves the integrity of our elections, provides more options for voters, and has the potential to save counties money, time and resources.
House File 501
Another bipartisan bill that I am spearheading this session was recently passed out of the Health and Human Services Reform Committee. House File 501 appropriates funding for the Voice Response Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Response Program, as well as the Text Message Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Response Program. These programs provide critical and immediate access to suicide prevention and crisis counseling, as well as education for individuals, families and communities. The funding will help increase the call answer rate for the phone line, and help the text response services reach statewide. It would also help fund the hiring of regional coordinators in 54 counties and for all tribes.
Additionally, it was wonderful to have representatives from Canvas Health, a nonprofit community mental health center in Washington County, come down to testify on behalf of the legislation. These programs save lives and are vital to help citizens struggling with mental health issues.
The bill’s next stop is the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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