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Rep. Sheldon Johnson - E-Update - April 25, 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

Friends,

This has been a very busy, very long week here at the Capitol. We’ve been burning the midnight oil, but I’m glad to report that three very important bills that will have a positive effect on Minnesotans’ lives were passed by the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday night, we passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill. The bill had bipartisan support and makes historic investments in education from early childhood to graduation.

The bill fully funds all-day, every day kindergarten and invests $50 million in early childhood learning scholarships. Studies have shown all-day K and early childhood education are proven tools to improve test scores, close the achievement gap, and prepare students for future academic success.

The bill sets the goal of closing the achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation — all by 2027.

The new investments in this education bill mark a sharp difference from the education bills of the past decade. Minnesota has been trapped in a cycle of deficits. And each time, schools, our kids, and our students paid the price. As a result, many Minnesota school districts have moved to 4-day school weeks. The state has slipped from the top 10 in funding to 22nd. Perhaps most alarming, Minnesota is now ranked 47th in the country in terms of classroom sizes.

By investing in education today we’re making a down payment on a prosperous Minnesota tomorrow.

Moving the HHS bill

On Monday, we debated the Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill. It passed by a 70-64 vote.

The bill reduces the HHS budget by $150 million over two years through targeted cuts, reforms, and re-prioritization within the budget yet still remains true to the mission of HHS – to protect our most vulnerable and ensure the highest quality of life for Minnesota.

It continues implementation of federal health reform, including a modernizing of MinnesotaCare through the Basic Health Plan, a major opportunity to assert more state-based control over federal health care dollars.

It also provides for a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for nursing home providers and a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for long-term care providers, as well as funds cost-preventing mental health initiatives for children and adults, helps low-income families and children and improves Minnesota’s public health and health care programs.

How we pay for it

On Wednesday, we laid out sweeping property tax reform aimed at middle class Minnesota. We passed the Omnibus Tax Bill by a 69-64, which eliminates the state’s $627 million deficit without gimmicks, pays back the $850 million owed to our schools and makes strategic investments in education, middle class tax relief and job creation.

The bill provides $270 million in middle class property tax relief. This direct property tax relief will help nearly 1 million Minnesotans through the Homestead Credit Refund, retooled renters’ credit and increased funds to cities and counties.

Under the new Homestead Credit Refund and renters’ credit, 380,000 homeowners and renters will see their refunds increase and an additional 200,000 homeowners will receive a refund. The new proposal enhances the renter’s credit by increasing the maximum refund allowed for renters.

The bill also provides tax relief for Minnesota businesses and veterans. The online sales tax levels the playing field between Minnesota bricks and mortar retailers and online retailers. The bill simplifies taxpaying with an upfront exemption for capital equipment, improves the Angel Investor Tax Credit and the Historic Credit and conforms to federal laws to make filing taxes easier for businesses. The bill supports veterans by creating a veterans jobs tax credit for Minnesota businesses and expands the income tax credit for veterans.

It’s an excellent bill with a little pain for those who can afford it. But it allows us to invest in education and job creation and give a break to those burdened by outrageous property tax bills.

Stay in touch

Please feel free to contact me with your questions, suggestions and concerns. My office is room 549 in the State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4201 and by email at rep.sheldon.johnson@house.mn. You can also monitor activities at the House, track bills, watch live video and sign up for my email update list by going to http://www.house.mn.

Have a good week,

Sheldon