Dear Neighbor,
Inside this edition of the Peppin Report:
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Can you Claim “Missing Money” from the State of Minnesota?
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House Tax Proposal
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Road and Bridge Act of 2015
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Brockton Lane Interchange Project
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Job Growth and Energy Affordability Bill
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Survey Results
1) Can you Claim “Missing Money” from the State of Minnesota?
Currently, the Minnesota Department of Commerce Unclaimed Property Unit holds unclaimed property (money) due to a change of address, death, or forgetfulness of the owner. The department is responsible for holding unclaimed property until the rightful owner or heir is found.
Minnesota is one of two states being sued over their poor response to returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners. In order to improve the process of informing people of unclaimed funds, I’m supporting efforts by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) that would require the commissioner of the Department of Commerce to not only issue public notice of unclaimed property, but also provide each legislator a list annually of the owners of abandoned property who live in the legislator’s district.
This property does not belong to the government. We shouldn’t allow a state agency to sit on it without better informing our citizens. Click here to find out if you or a member of your family is on the “Missing Money” list.
2) House Tax Proposal
On Monday, April 20, House Republican leaders announced the House Republican Omnibus Tax bill (House File 848). Highlights of the bill include returning $2 billion of the state budget surplus in tax relief to middle-class families, college students, aging adults & veterans, farmers, small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the bill includes tax relief for the City of Rogers. This provision of the bill seeks to ease the unfair tax burden paid by so-called “contributor” cities like Rogers to the Fiscal Disparities pool – a 40 year-old program which redistributes property tax dollars among cities who meet certain criteria developed in the early 1970s. The policy in place currently transfers millions in property tax dollars from communities like Rogers to cities in other metro counties.
The Senate is expected to pass its tax bill next week, and a conference committee will be appointed to reconcile the differences between the two bills.
3) Road and Bridge Act of 2015
On Tuesday, April 21, the House approved the Road and Bridge Act of 2015 (House File 4), the major part of House Republicans' comprehensive, future-oriented proposal for transportation in Minnesota. The Road and Bridge Act of 2015 passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 73 to 59.
The Republican proposal invests $7 billion over the next decade without raising taxes. The ten-year approach prioritizes road and bridge infrastructure through:
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Immediate repair of roads in Minnesota communities.
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Highway improvements for commuters and commerce.
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Reliable, long-term funding without raising taxes.
Most Minnesotans count on safe roads and short commutes every day, and our plan focuses on those daily needs. It fills potholes and repairs streets in their neighborhoods and will alleviate congestion on Minnesota roads. Now, Minnesotans have a choice between smart budgeting that dedicates existing transportation taxes to roads and bridges without a tax increase and a plan supported by the Governor that raises the gas tax by at least 16 cents per gallon.
You can read my recent column on transportation here.
4) Brockton Lane Interchange Project
On Thursday, April 23, I testified before the House Transportation Policy & Finance Committee in support of my legislation (House File 1512) that would construct a full access point and auxiliary lanes on Interstate Highway 94 just east of the existing Highway 101 overpass. This is among the longest stretches of freeway without an exit in the entire metro area. Completing the Brockton Lane Interchange Project is of vital importance to accommodate and promote future growth in Dayton, Rogers and Maple Grove and, equally important, to alleviate congestion and permit faster commutes for families in the northwest suburbs.
Thank you to Dayton Mayor Tim McNeil for coming to St. Paul to testify in support of this proposal that will not only serve to improve access to I-94, but also reduce travel times and congestion for families in the northwest suburbs and decrease response times for public safety and emergency vehicles.
5) Job Growth and Energy Affordability Bill
On Wednesday, April 22, the House passed the Job Growth and Energy Affordability bill (House File 843), which includes provisions aimed at making energy cleaner and more affordable in Minnesota. Some of the highlights of this legislation include:
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$600 million in tax relief for Minnesota businesses that allows them the opportunity to invest in their employees.
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Repealing the nuclear power ban in Minnesota. I’ve worked on this issue for several years. Nuclear power plants are a safe, reliable, efficient source of energy. As long as Minnesota retains its moratorium, no utility would seriously explore the use of many new and efficient forms of nuclear power available to meet our energy needs.
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Removing the sprinkler mandate. Currently, state law requires sprinklers in new homes that are larger than 4,500 square feet. This mandate is costly and unnecessary for home buyers and stands as a cost-raising obstacle for new homeowners.
The legislation passed with bipartisan support on a 73 to 56 vote.
6) Survey Results
Thank you to everyone took my 2015 Legislative Survey. You can find the results by clicking here.
The 2015 Legislative Session is set to get even busier in the coming weeks so please don’t hesitate to contact me on issues of concern to you. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155
Have a wonderful weekend,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A