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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mark Uglem (R)

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News from Representative Uglem 02-28-2014

Friday, February 28, 2014
Dear Friends,
 
The 2014 legislative session began this week with a welcomed moment of bipartisan cooperation and agreement.
 
The House voted to suspend the rules and pass $20 million in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which was scheduled to run out of money early next month.
 
All of the present members voted in favor of this funding, which will continue the program that helps Minnesotans keep the heat on through the end of this winter. Last month, Governor Dayton expanded the LIHEAP program eligibility to help Minnesotans impacted by a propane shortage that caused the price of propane -- which many Minnesotans use to heat their homes -- to skyrocket.
 
I hope we can continue this spirit of bipartisanship as the 2014 session continues. There was a great deal of discussion by both parties about repealing the business-to-business taxes passed last session, as well as addressing federal tax conformity.
 
The legislature failed to align Minnesota's tax code with the federal code last session, resulting in de facto tax increases for many Minnesota families for things like employer-provided tuition and adoption assistance, to name just a few.
 
I expect to see federal conformity, as well as business-to-business tax repeal addressed early in session to ensure Minnesota families have time to adjust or amend their tax returns in time for the April deadline.
 
In fact, a tax bill that addresses federal conformity and tax repeal passed out of the House Tax Committee today. It heads next to the House Ways and Means Committee, and I would expect it to come to the floor sometime in mid-March.
 
I will continue to keep you updated on the latest from St. Paul as session continues. If you, or a group you're a part of, is visiting the Capitol and would like to schedule a meeting, please contact my office at rep.mark.uglem@house.mn or by calling 651-296-5513. Thank you for the continued honor of representing our communities at the legislature. I'm committed to working hard for you this session, and hope you will stay in touch as session goes on.
 
Take care,
 
Mark