Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
In this Issue:
- Listening Sessions
- Tax Cuts Mean Real Money for MN Families
- Community Events
- Peppin’s MinnTriv
Listening Sessions
I am hosting three joint listening sessions next month. We will be previewing the upcoming 2018 legislative session and gathering input and ideas from area residents.
The first will be in Maple Grove with Rep. Dennis Smith and Sen. Warren Limmer on Saturday, February 3rd. It will take place from 9-10 AM at the Maple Grove Community Center in Room 133 (12951 Weaver Lake Road).
Sen. Limmer will also be with me at the Dayton and Rogers stops. The Dayton Listening Session is on Tuesday, February 13 from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Dayton Senior Center (18641 Dayton Street), and the Rogers Listening Session is on Thursday, February 15 from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Rogers Community Room in the North Room (21201 Memorial Drive).
I hope to see you there!
Tax Cuts Mean Real Money for Minnesota Families
As your state representative, I have long advocated for a fair and equitable tax code that lowers Minnesota’s high individual and corporate tax rates so families can keep more of what they earn, and business owners can reinvest in their employees and enterprises.
During the Dayton administration, unfortunately, the opposite has occurred. Higher taxes and less take home pay for Minnesota families has been the rule. House Republicans, however, were able to begin chipping away at that in a big way last session—passing a sizable middle-class tax relief package that allows families, seniors, college students, farmers and local businesses to keep more of their hard earned money. It was the largest tax relief package for Minnesotans in nearly two decades.
With Minnesota still a high tax state, it’s also why federal tax reform and rate reductions for individuals and American companies are so critical. Under tax reform passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, the benefits of reduced taxes have been immediate, and have put real money back in the hands of American families.
Tom Steward of the Center of the American Experiment has an excellent article (Bonuses and Pay Hikes Thanks to Tax Cuts) that details how employees of two companies with Minnesota operations, US Bank and Twin City Federal, are receiving $1,000 bonuses, and how the charitable foundations of these banks are also recipients of multi-million dollar contributions.
The article also links to an A-Z list of American companies providing similar bonuses and/or pay increases.
The opponents of “tax cuts for huge corporations” are shortsighted in their criticisms that such tax relief doesn’t benefit working Americans, when in fact, passage of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has illustrated just the opposite is true.
Community Events
The Osseo-Maple Grove American Legion is hosting their “you won’t go home hungry” steak, shrimp or fish dinner tonight from 5:30-8:30 at the American Legion, 260 4th Ave. SE in Osseo. Cost is $10 for steak, shrimp or fish, $12 for combination dinner. Also included is baked potato, coleslaw, toast & coffee.
The Rogers Ambassadors invite young ladies to a “Princess for a Day & Tea Party” on Sunday, January 21. Come from 10:00 a.m. – noon or 1:30-3:30 at the Rogers Community Room, 21201 Memorial Drive in Rogers. There will be activities, refreshments, a fashion show/runway and each child receives a keepsake tiara, can decorate a sash, and has their hair and nails done. In addition there will be a dress up photo booth. Cost is $20 and proceeds benefit the Ambassador program.
Peppin’s MinnTriv
Thank you to everyone who participated in the last Peppin’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: In what city did the Vikings play their first Super Bowl? In that game, who scored the first Vikings Super Bowl touchdown? The answers are New Orleans and Dave Osborn.
Congratulations to Mark VanOosbree from Maple Grove for winning two weeks in a row!
Here’s another Vikings question for this week: Which Purple People Eater was one of only two defensive players to have been awarded NFL MVP?
The FOURTH correct response will be featured in the next email update.
SKOL VIKINGS!
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In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A