St. Paul, MN – State Representative David Bly (DFL – Northfield) is wishing students well as they prepare for the upcoming school year and reminding families about tax credits for school supplies and major funding increases for their local schools districts. In addition, all-day Kindergarten is available for every child for the first time in state history and college students are benefiting from the second year of a tuition freeze at state colleges and universities.
“Investing in our students is the best investment we can make together as a community and as a state,” said Bly. “We’ve all shared in the benefits of Minnesota’s historical commitment to education. Our well educated workforce is a big reason behind our high quality of life. I’m committed to building on our progress from the 2013-2014 legislative session by providing high quality early education for every 3 and 4 year old, reducing the alarming amount of debt shouldered by our college graduates and continuing to equip workers with the skills needed for unfilled manufacturing jobs throughout our state. Those are a few of the major priorities we can focus on in the years ahead.”
Major highlights for the upcoming school year include:
ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERY CHILD - For the first time in state history, all-day Kindergarten is available for every child, resulting in significant savings for families with Kindergartners enrolled in the Northfield Public School District. Moms and dads previously paid over $3,000 in tuition for the full day option, which will now be covered through state funding.
TAX CREDITS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Minnesota offers two programs to help moms and dads pay for their children’s education expenses. The K-12 Education Subtraction and the K-12 Education Credit can lower the tax you pay or increase your refund when filing your Minnesota income tax return. You may qualify for the K-12 subtraction, the K-12 credit, or both if you save your receipts.
Common expenses that qualify include school supplies such as pencils, paper and calculators, educational computer hardware and software, extracurricular academic or fine arts classes such as dance, music lessons, art and science, and tutoring for subjects needed for K-12 classes taught by a qualified instruction.
The K-12 subtraction lets you subtract qualifying educational expenses from your taxable income when you file a Minnesota income tax return. You may subtract up to $1,625 in education expenses for each child in grades kindergarten through 6, and $2,500 for each child in grades 7 through 12. There is no income limit to qualify for the education subtraction, and you may qualify regardless of your filing status.
The K-12 credit reduces your state income tax or increases your refund. If you meet certain income requirements, you may claim this credit on your Minnesota income tax return for up to 75 percent of qualifying educational expenses. You may claim this credit and receive a refund even if you don’t owe income tax for the year.
*Click here to open a brochure with more information from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
FUNDING INCREASES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS – Every public school district in Rep. Bly’s legislative district (20B) received a significant funding increase for the upcoming school year.
Northfield School District: Over $1.8 million in additional funding ($492 more per student).
Tri-City United School District (Montgomery, Lonsdale and Le Center): Over $939,000 in additional funding ($498 more per student).
New Prague Area School District: Over $1.7 million in additional funding ($452 more per student).
HOT LUNCHES FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS - A report from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid published earlier this year found that some Minnesota school districts denied hot lunch to low-income students who had insufficient funds in their lunch accounts. In response, the legislature unanimously increased funding for the school lunch program to ensure no child is ever denied a hot lunch due to the inability to pay.
TUITION FREEZE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS - The legislature froze tuition for two years for Minnesota residents earning an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. Tuition had more than doubled over the previous decade before the tuition freeze went into effect last year. State lawmakers also made the largest investment in state financial aid in over a decade to help more students pay for a post-secondary degree, which is available for students attending Carleton College and St. Olaf College in Northfield in addition to the state’s public colleges and universities.
Rep. Bly encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about the legislature’s investments in education. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0171 or toll-free at 800-920-5882, 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.