Friends,
One of the last tasks we completed before gaveling the 2013-14 legislative session to a close was to pass our second bill cutting taxes of the year.
We’re calling it “Tax Bill 2,” and it differs from the first bill by offering $103 million in direct relief from high property taxes to homeowners, renters, farmers and businesses.
More than 500,000 homeowners will get a one-time 3 percent increase in their Homestead Credit refunds paid in 2014. The average homeowner will see a refund of $837 for 2014. For renters, its means a one-time 6 percent increase in their 2014 Renters’ Credit refunds. The average renter will see a refund of $643.
For 90,000 farmers, the bill builds off the effort to restore the Homestead Credit by enhancing the market value credit for homesteaded farms. The result is an immediate $17 million in property tax relief and continued relief into future years. An average family farmer in Minnesota will see $410 in property tax relief – close to a $200 increase in 2014.
When combined with the first tax cut bill, lawmakers will have provided $550 million in tax cuts for nearly 2 million Minnesotans this session.
And the most recent bill keeps in step with what was one of our top priorities last session – lowering the property tax burden for our hard working middle class. In 2013, we were able to invest $133 million in direct, targeted property tax relief. As a result, property taxes will decrease this year for the first time in more than a decade.
It’s nice to end the session by putting more money back in the pockets of our hard working Minnesotans.
HERO Center Phase 1!
We also passed a Capital Investment package that allocates $846 million in General Obligation bonds and $200 million of general fund money to important infrastructure projects of statewide significance – focusing on higher education, regional assets, transportation and housing.
One of those projects is the Cottage Grove Health and Emergency Response Occupations (HERO) Center. It’s a joint project with Inver Hills Community College that will offer specialized police, fire and paramedic training. HERO will receive $1.4 million for some pre-design and design money. It will be built next to Cottage Grove's new city hall and public safety building on nine acres. The work on this project will continue and construction could begin in 2016.
This is the culmination of MnSCU and the city of Cottage Grove working collaboratively to develop a place for Emergency Medical Services and police training – not only in-service training but training for college students. Inver Hills Community College used to offer classes in Cottage Grove with a satellite campus in the old Hadley Ave Mall where Snyders and Demori's used to be. It’s time to bring college back to our area.
There is a great deal of interest in this from other metro-area departments. Students are even e-mailing me – hoping they’ll be able to attend the skills program, which is part of the curriculum needed before they can be eligible to be licensed as a peace officer in the state of Minnesota. They’re excited that they’ll be able to get the training closer to home. The closest this training is available to our law enforcement students right now is Brooklyn Center.
This is extremely exciting. I think this is one of the first times in many, many years that the South Washington County area has been included in a Capital Investment bill in this fashion.
This weekend we remember those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy. I want to thank all those who have served in our Nation's Military. I also want to extend my regards to the families who have lost loved ones in recent wars and conflicts.
We all have friends, family members and neighbors who have recently suffered great losses to their families fighting terrorism and tyranny around the globe. There are no words and no actions that could ever make up for your pain.
Please have a safe Memorial Day Weekend,
Dan