ST. PAUL, MN – State Representative Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township) is showing no signs of slowing down after a productive start to the 2014 Legislative Session.
After voting in support of additional home heating assistance for Minnesotans hit hardest by the ongoing propane crisis on his first day back at the state capitol, Anzelc is moving quickly to pass additional legislation to create good jobs, cut middle class taxes, and spark economic development.
“This Legislature is moving at a blistering pace,” said Anzelc. “We’re doing the people’s work and we’re doing it quickly. I think the people of northern Minnesota will be well served by our progress.”
The second week of the 2014 Session began on a good note when American Surplus and Manufacturing, a Montevideo company specializing in the production of wheeled ice-fishing houses, announced plans to open a manufacturing facility that will bring 20 jobs to Pine River in Cass County.
Company officials said they plan to develop a manufacturing operation on the former site of a Chrysler dealership and will begin production this spring.
To help American Surplus with the expansion, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded the company a low-interest loan of $107,500 from its Minnesota Investment Fund, a tool that the Legislature increased funding for in the budget passed during last year’s Legislative Session.
“I’m pleased by the Deparment’s aggressive pursuit of job creation opportunities in our region,” said Anzelc. “Our people are not feeling the economic recovery as much as the metro area, so this announcement comes as welcome news.”
Anzelc capped the second week of the 2014 Session by voting in support of a $500 million middle class tax cut package, a bill he helped pass out of the House Taxes Committee one week earlier.
The bill (HF 1777), which passed the House floor today by a vote of 126-2, conforms the state tax code to the federal tax code, including most retroactive provisions for tax year 2013 and all provisions going forward. Conformity simplifies the tax filing process and cuts middle class taxes by eliminating unnecessary burdens like the “marriage penalty.”
By eliminating the marriage penalty, 650,000 middle class families will save an average of $115. Low-income families, students and parents paying for college, and homeowners who refinanced their mortgage or had a short sale are among other Minnesotans who stand to benefit from conformity. The House tax cut package also repeals three new business-to-business taxes and provides a refund for taxes paid on commercial equipment repair, including farm equipment and any warehouse services.
“This bill puts more money into the pockets of hardworking Minnesotans while making sure our state budget remains balanced into the future,” said Anzelc. “I have committed to the people that our approach would be balanced and that’s what will happen.”
Earlier this week, Anzelc testified before several committees about legislation he is authoring to secure state bonding dollars to help finance the renovation and expansion of the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, as well as improvements to the Regional Community Center and wastewater stabilization in Deer River. He is also authoring bonding legislation to make improvements at Itasca Community College and upgrade infrastructure in Coleraine and LaPrairie.
“A strong bonding bill will create good jobs for the people of northern Minnesota,” said Anzelc. “It’s a top priority of mine this Session.”
Anzelc, together with Rep. Joe Radinovich (DFL – Crosby), also introduced legislation this week to repeal the Iron Range fiscal disparities program. The legislation is based on a recent study concluding that some business property taxpayers have seen large tax increases caused primarily by the Homestead exclusion passed in 2012.
“I introduced this bill as a means to provide relief for commercial and industrial property taxpayers in Grand Rapids and Cohasset,” said Anzelc. “This is an effort to respond to the needs of the people of my district, especially after Itasca County, Cohasset, and Grand Rapids passed resolutions seeking to repeal this program. It’s a start.”
Rep. Anzelc encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, or ideas as the 2014 Session continues. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4936, by email at rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn, or by postal mail at 517 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.