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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Bob Dettmer (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Bob Dettmer

Friday, March 31, 2017
Dear Friends,

This week has been particularly busy at the Capitol with finance committees working around the clock to assemble their budget bills in order to meet the final finance bill deadline, which is today. Yesterday, we passed our House tax bill. Some details on that bill are below.

Tax Bill

As I mentioned in my last update, a central piece of our House budget is a tax bill that provides $1.35 billion in tax relief, focusing on our over-taxed middle class. Our tax provisions will help Minnesotans across generations. Here are some highlights from the provisions included:

  • $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.

  • More than $125 million to address college affordability through a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments, along with subtractions and credits for families saving for college using 529 Savings Plans. Through the student debt tax credit, 77,500 students will receive on average a $640 reduction in their taxes.

  • $35 million for families with young children by modifying the child & dependent care credit. A family of four earning $50,000 a year will receive an additional $1,200 toward their childcare expenses.

  • $203 million in relief for hometown businesses by exempting the first $200,000 in property value from the extra tax on businesses and freezing its automatic inflator. This helps every business owner reinvest in their business, protecting 30,000 Minnesota jobs.

This bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 80-52.

American Legion Fundraiser

This last Friday my family and I went to the Forest Lake American Legion Post #225 for their annual 4th of July Parade and Fireworks Fundraiser. For the last several years I’ve put myself up for people to bid on putting a pie in the face. This year, my granddaughter Evalynne got her chance.

House Image

We should be in for a great 4th of July celebration in Forest Lake this year, and thank you to the American Legion for their support for their hard work and support of our community.

As always, thank you for the honor of being your representative. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns as we begin to negotiate budget provisions with Governor Dayton. Your input helps me know where our community stands on these provisions, and helps me better represent our interests at the Capitol.

Have a great weekend!

 

Bob