Dear neighbors,
As the 2013 school year approaches, area parents are busy preparing their children for success in the classroom. I thought this would be an opportune time to outline some education-related measures that have been enacted at the Capitol:
I’m sure many of you are back-to-school shopping for supplies like calculators, notebooks, pencils and more. Those costs can add up quickly, but did you know that you can save those receipts and use them for tax breaks or deductions on your 2013 state income tax returns?
The state of Minnesota offers tax breaks for school-related expenses for Kindergarten through 12th grade students attending public, private, and home schools.
Parents can choose one of two options: a refundable K-12 education credit or the K-12 education subtraction. Both programs reduce the tax parents pay and could provide a larger refund when filing a 2013 Minnesota Individual Income Tax Return.
The tax breaks and deductions cover expenses including paper, pens and notebooks, textbooks, computer hardware and software, after-school tutoring and educational summer camps, and rental or purchases of educational equipment such as musical instruments.
For more information, you can call the Minnesota Department of Revenue at (651) 296-3781 or visit their website at
www.revenue.state.mn.us.
Additionally, you’re invited to an upcoming “Back-to-School” roundtable discussion with House Majority Leader Erin Murphy, school administrators, teachers, staff and me to discuss education legislation that was passed in 2013. We will also discuss future opportunities and challenges in education.
WHO: Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Yvonne Selcer, school administrators, teachers, local officials
WHAT: “Back-to-school” Education Roundtable Discussion
WHERE: Gatewood Elementary Cafeteria, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55345
WHEN: Thursday, August 29, 2013 — 10:00 a.m.
We will be discussing the impacts of recently passed legislation on the Eden Prairie, Hopkins and Minnetonka Schools, which includes:
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More Funding For Every School in Minnesota. The budget invests an additional $234 million in the school funding formula, providing schools with an increase in funding in each of the next two years.
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All Day Kindergarten for Every Child. The budget invests $134 million to help Minnesota school districts provide optional All-Day K to every student, free of charge, starting in 2014.
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Early Learning Scholarships for 8,000 Kids. The budget invests $40 million in scholarships that will help thousands more children attend high quality child care and preschool to ensure that children are prepared for Kindergarten and beyond. Families will be eligible for up to $5,000 in scholarships.
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Repaying our Schools. I was happy to author House File 1 this session, which paid back the delayed aid payments to our schools. The new state budget accelerates repayment of the money that the state borrowed from our schools in previous years — with first repayments beginning in October.
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Testing Reform to Improve How We Measure Student Achievement. We are moving away from punitive, high-stakes testing standards, to help districts implement college and career readiness exams that are aligned to students’ interests and goals.
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World’s Best Workforce. School districts must adopt a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to improve teaching and learning that is aligned with creating the “world’s best workforce.” Districts must strive to, among other markers, close achievement gaps, have students reading at grade level by 3rd grade, and graduate from high school college- and career-ready.
If you have any additional questions about these education measures, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
As always, thank you for the honor of being your voice at the Capitol.
Best,
Yvonne