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With newly appointed Moorhead city councilwoman, and my niece, Melissa Fabian
With Steve Pahlen from the Minnesota Trappers Association
With Hallock Mayor Dave Treumer
Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Budgeting the Minnesota Way
Last week began with House Republicans unveiling our budget targets which finance committees are using as a framework to craft omnibus bills. Highlights in our budget include $1.35 billion in tax relief, $450 million in new funding for roads and bridges, and $1.1 billion in new funding for K-12 over last biennium. What’s more, our budget target ensures responsible, sustainable funding for our priorities going forward while limiting government growth.
Just like folks across our state, we’re budgeting ‘the Minnesota Way,’ which means we are identifying and funding our shared priorities just like Minnesota families do each and every day. For our state, that means improving our roads and bridges, lowering health care costs, and providing much-needed tax relief for folks in Northwest Minnesota and across the state.
Omnibus bills are now moving through the process, and I will share more about them as they continue to move forward.
Tax Relief for Minnesotans
One omnibus bill I did want to highlight that was unveiled last week is the tax bill. As mentioned before, this legislation will provide $1.35 billion in meaningful, middle-class tax relief for hardworking taxpayers across our state who helped fund our state’s substantial surplus.
Key provisions in the bill include:
- Reducing taxes paid to the state by seniors living on a fixed income by increasing the income threshold on Social Security
- Modifying the child and dependent care credit to help families with childcare expenses
- Relief for families saving for college with 529 Savings Plans, as well as a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments
- Lessening the burden agriculture land owners pay for school bond referendums
- Empowering hometown businesses to expand and hire by exempting the first $200,000 in property value from the extra state property taxes on businesses
Another provision that I spearheaded in the bill is important for Northwest Minnesota and our local economy. The Digi-Key provision is moving through both the House and Senate, and will give this homegrown business the opportunity to make a significant expansion in our area. This will help provide new jobs, give a boost to our economy and positively impact our community. Keeping successful local businesses in our state means putting forth commonsense policies that help them expand and hire. I am excited about this provision moving forward and hope we can get it to the finish line and signed by Governor Dayton.
Standing Up for Rural Electric Co-ops and Ratepayers
I was disappointed last week that Governor Dayton vetoed legislation that clarifies regulations of consumer-owned utilities including our rural electric co-ops. This bill was a high priority for rural Minnesota.
House File 234 garnered strong support from both sides of the aisle, and is an issue that is not going away anytime soon. Talking with the three rural electric co-ops in my district, I will continue to advocate for this bill and other measures that work for ratepayers in Northwest Minnesota.
Congrats to Roseau Girls’ Basketball!
Congratulations to the Roseau Rams Girls’ Basketball Team for winning the state tournament! Your community is proud of you for an outstanding season!
Follow me on Facebook!
To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at your State Capitol, feel free to “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RepDanFabian.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A