Dear Friends,
Week two has come to an end, and it was another week packed full of committee meetings, floor sessions, and meetings with constituents and other groups.
I'm finally settled into my office. I have a couch for guests to sit on, and a few pictures on the wall including a photo of Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, as well as photos of my dog Colter and my two cats Moshie and Kelchi.
If you're visiting the Capitol or are near St. Paul and want to visit, I'm in Room 507 in the State Office Building across the street from the Capitol. Hope you'll stop by!
Tax relief passes unanimously
Yesterday I voted for the first time to pass a bill off the House floor. Thanks to the quick work of the Taxes Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, we were able to pass House File 6 in just our second week of work.
Republicans and Democrats voted 129-0 to pass $20 million in immediate tax relief for families who are filing their 2014 taxes. House File 6 is a tax conformity bill that conforms Minnesota's tax code to the federal tax code so that families are able to claim certain deductions on their taxes.
This bill helps teachers, college students, and homeowners save money on their tax returns, giving them deductions for things like classroom expenses, higher education tuition, and mortgage insurance premiums.
As a teacher, I have always spent a lot of my own money on my classroom and students and have appreciated utilizing these federal tax credits to help offset some of my
expenses.
I am happy that fellow teachers who spend their own hard-earned money on their classrooms will continue to have this option.
The Senate is expected to take up and pass our bill next week, and it will then head to the Governor to be signed into law.
It was important to act quickly so that Minnesotans who start filing their taxes next week (January 20th) can take advantage of all the deductions to help save people money on their taxes. If there were to be a delay, anyone eligible for the deductions included in this bill would have to possibly amend their return or lose out on a tax deduction.
It's encouraging to me that we were able to pass this bill so quickly with unanimous bipartisan support. This is a great example of what good work the legislature can do for families when we work together.
Property Tax Listening Session
Next Saturday, January 24th I will be holding a listening session on the topic of property taxes. Families and especially farmers in our area know well that property taxes have been on the rise for many years now. I want the members of the Property Tax Committee that I've invited to Albert Lea to hear and understand how residents of District 27A are impacted by rising property taxes, and give you the chance to tell your story and offer any suggestions you have for us as legislators on what we can do to help address the problem in Saint Paul.
Here are the full details:
Saturday, January 24
10:00AM-11:30AM
Prairie Wind Coffee in Albert Lea
211 South Broadway
Albert Lea, MN 56007
If you are interested in attending, you're encouraged (but not required) to pre-register by calling Grant Erickson, the Property Tax Committee Assistant at 651-296-9710 or sending him an email at grant.erickson@house.mn.
If you have any questions, or have stories you'd like to share about how property taxes are impacting your family, please send me an email at rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn. I'm hear to listen; your stories help me be a better legislator and better represent our community.
New Member Interview
Last week I sat down with House Public Information Services, the non-partisan media service here at the Minnesota House to tape a "new member interview" to help people learn a little more about me and my background. You can watch that video by clicking here or on the image below.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office at rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-8216. Like my Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/reppeggybennett, or follow me on Twitter at @PeggyABennett.
Have a great weekend, and hope you enjoy the slightly warmer weather!
Peggy Bennett
State Representative, District 27A