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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dennis Smith (R)

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Tax Relief, REAL ID, & Adapted Floor Hockey

Friday, March 31, 2017

Friends, 


In Saint Paul, we are in the process of passing our budget bills that will set the direction of Minnesota's budget for the next two years. This week House heard four key budget bills with the tax & environment bills passing on Thursday and the transportation and education bills being heard on Friday. I also have an update on REAL ID below. Have a great weekend!
 

$1.35 Billion in Tax Relief 

On a bipartisan vote of 80-52 the House of Representatives passed the House Tax Plan. The House tax plan delivers long overdue tax relief to middle-class Minnesotans. Our tax plan targets relief to Minnesota’s seniors and students as well as families with young children. Thousands of hardworking Minnesotans will benefit from this tax relief plan. 

Highlights of the $1.35 billion in tax relief include: 

  • My bill, HF 732, that will allow Maple Grove more flexibility in creating TIF zones in order to spur economic development.
  • $269 million in relief for Minnesota’s senior citizens by increasing the income limit at which social security income is taxable. As a result, by 2019 nearly 284,000 senior citizen tax returns (single and married filing jointly) would be eligible to receive a tax exemption on their social security benefits with an average tax reduction of $710.
  • $35 million going for modifying the child and dependent care credit. A family of four with childcare expenses would be estimated to receive $660 in relief.
  • More than $125 million toward addressing college affordability. Families saving for college using 529 Savings Plans will benefit from expanded subtractions and credits. In addition, 77,500 students will receive, on average, a $640 reduction in their taxes through a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments.

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Rep. Smith with constituents in his office

Senate Passes REAL ID 

The Minnesota Senate passed REAL ID this week. This is great news and a step toward making Minnesota REAL ID compliant - meaning that our driver's licenses will be able to be used for boarding planes and entering military bases. The next step is to take both the Senate & House versions of REAL ID legislation to conference committee to negotiate a final bill. 

For further explanation, you can watch a video I put together to explain what REAL ID is and what it does.


Congrats to Maple Grove CI-Adapted Hockey

Congratulations to the Maple Grove CI-Adapted Floor Hockey team on a great season and their third place finish at the State Tournament. Read more here. 

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Rep. Smith with constituents at the Capitol. 

Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am grateful to serve you at the Capitol. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.

Have a great weekend!

Dennis

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