Hello from the Capitol!
This week I had the pleasure of speaking to students with the Minnesota Youth Council (a student civic engagement organization) about a bill (HF 1255) I co-authored. House File 1255 would increase funding for mental health services in our schools.
Budget Proposal:
House Republicans laid out their budget proposal this week for the next two years; it includes an additional $1.1 billion for our schools, a new plan to fund transportation projects, and a tax relief initiative.
The transportation plan that was introduced invests $6 billion over the next decade, with $2 billion being spent in the next two years alone, without raising the gas tax. I believe that with a $1.6 billion surplus, the Governor and lawmakers should not be proposing to raise your taxes. The bill would be funded through bonds and a re-appropriation of auto-related taxes to be spent exclusively on transportation projects. This bill is a comprehensive and straightforward approach to funding future transportation infrastructure projects, and I am hopeful for a positive reception from Governor Dayton.
The tax relief bill that was proposed reduces taxes for Minnesotans by more than $1.35 billion over the next two years.
Some highlights include:
- Reduces the state tax on social security income for seniors
- Provides more credits and deductions for families saving for post-secondary education using 529 Savings Plans, as well as tax credits for student loan payments
- Exempts the first $200,000 of property value from the extra tax on local businesses and freezes the automatic inflator
- Modifies the child and dependent care credit (a family of four with childcare expenses would receive $660 more relief than current law)
These bills are currently working their way through the committee process and will be heading to the floor of the House for a vote of the entire body in the near future.
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-5387 or rep.roz.peterson@house.mn.
Sincerely,
