Friends,
Labor Day Weekend is here and with it brings a new school year and, unfortunately, the unofficial end of summer. With everyone heading back to school a quick reminder of just how great the 2017 Session was for our schools. We combined a record $1.3 billion in increased funding (a 7.8% increase) with needed reforms that will keep the best teachers in the classroom to help ensure every Minnesotan has access to a world-class education. I am proud to have been a leader in making sure our students and educators have the resources they need to make that a reality. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Donation Collection for Harvey Victims
We have all seen the awful devastation that Hurricane Harvey has brought to Texas, but it has also brought out the best in us as people and Americans. From the everyday citizens in Houston getting in boats and helping their neighbors, to groups all across America collecting donations to pitch in. One such opportunity to help out is right here in our own backyard. The Osseo/Maple Grove American Legion is filling up a semi trailer to send down to Texas. They are looking for new, packaged goods and are accepting donations until the truck leaves on Tuesday. See more information here on their Facebook Page.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Texas, this is one way we can all pitch in.
Enbridge Replacement Line
In August, I joined more than 3 dozen of my colleagues urging Governor Dayton to move forward with the proposed Enbridge Line 3 Replacement project. Enbridge has provided Greater Minnesota with well-paying jobs as well as an environmentally safe and efficient way to transport oil across the state. The completion of the Line 3 Replacement Project will provide good jobs and tax revenue for communities across Minnesota.
Replacement of the Line 3 pipeline will mean more than $3 billion in private investment and create thousands of good-paying jobs along the route. The letter also raised concerns over the risk to the environment if the line is not replaced. Pipelines are the safest way to transport oil and it is extremely important to complete the replacement pipeline in order to ensure the safe transportation of oil.
I hope Governor Dayton will heed our recommendation on this issue. The potential negative environmental impact and loss of jobs are too large to not move ahead with this project.
ICYMI: Tax Incentives for Parents
I wanted to make sure parents know about tax incentives that may allow them to keep more of their hard earned money come next tax season. Minnesota has both a credit and a subtraction for education expenses.
Most school supplies qualify for the credit or subtraction, including writing utensils, textbooks, and musical instrument rentals. Common items that don’t qualify for the subtraction or credit include school lunches, uniforms, backpacks, and more. Parents are encouraged to check the Revenue website to determine which expenses qualify. Full details about the Education Subtraction and Credit can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us.
Lions Roar Days
Osseo's Lions Roar Days are coming up September Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th. The Osseo Lions will also have their famous roast beef sandwiches, pork chops on a stick, turkey legs, and brats with all the fixings. Smith Farms will have roasted corn -- no relation, but I do love the corn!
It'll be a fun time for the whole family and look for me in the parade on Saturday! See a full list of the events here or the flyer below.
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored 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 Labor Day Weekend!
Dennis