Dear neighbors,
The past few weeks have been very busy, but lawmakers are getting a lot of good things quickly accomplished that benefit the people of Minnesota.
You can continue reading to learn more about the latest developments at our state capitol, or simply click here or on the video player below to watch a video update.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TAX FILERS:
State lawmakers recently made our tax system more progressive by reducing taxes for over one million middle class Minnesotans. The Department of Revenue says all systems and software have been updated to reflect the changes to our state tax code, so if you have not yet filed your 2013 Minnesota tax return, you can now do so and claim all the tax cuts and credits for which you may be eligible. The deadline to file is Tuesday, April 15.
If you already filed, you don’t have to do anything right now. The Department of Revenue will notify you if you will need to file an amended return to get the benefits of these tax law changes.
HOUSE LAWMAKERS UNVEIL BONDING BILL:
Earlier this week, House lawmakers unveiled capital investment legislation, more commonly known as the bonding bill. This year’s proposal includes $850 million in bonds and $125 million in one-time cash expenditures from Minnesota’s budget surplus to finance statewide infrastructure projects in higher education, transportation, housing, economic development, clean water and wastewater systems.
A strong bonding bill that addresses our state’s infrastructure needs is a smart way to put more people back to work and build on Minnesota’s positive economic momentum. With interest rates still dramatically low, we can borrow for less while making long overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges, schools and more – the kinds of things that lay the foundation for economic growth right now and into the future.
I’m particularly pleased our proposal includes my bill to provide a $1.33 million grant to the city of Montgomery to construct a public safety facility for fire and ambulance services. Another project in our area includes $550,000 to acquire land and develop the Mill Towns Trail segment from Faribault to Dundas, which will help draw more tourists to the region and give a boost to the local economy.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET:
The $1.2 billion budget surplus generated by our talented workforce and businesses, as well as strong fiscal management at the state capitol, put us in a position to keep our economy on the right track by building on the investments we made last year in priorities Minnesotans broadly share such as our children’s education.
The House supplemental budget includes statewide investments to strengthen Greater Minnesota through broadband investments and economic development resources, education investments that build on the 2013 “Education Session,” more funding for home and community-based health care workers who provide care for the elderly and disabled, and critical transportation funding to repair potholes and make investments in highways, roads and bridges.
I look forward to supporting those investments later this afternoon when the entire House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill.
TAX BILL 2:
House lawmakers are moving forward with a second tax bill that includes $103 million in additional tax reductions for Minnesota homeowners, renters, farmers and businesses.
Included in the package is an immediate $18 million in property tax reductions for more than 90,000 homesteaded farms, with the average family farmer receiving a $460 refund, $12.1 million for 500,000 homeowners, with every eligible homeowner receiving a three percent boost to their refund, and $12.5 million for 350,000 renters, with every eligible renter receiving a six percent boost to their refund.
These investments will build on the $133 million investment in direct property tax refunds we made last year and make Minnesota’s tax system fairer and more progressive.
STAY IN TOUCH:
Please contact me with any questions, ideas or comments about the 2014 Legislative Session. You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-0171, by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn, or by postal mail at 559 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
David Bly
State Representative, District 20B