Dear neighbors,
Unfortunately, my senior fraud prevention town hall meeting is postponed until further notice. I will notify everyone of the new date and location as soon as that has been verified. The meeting was originally scheduled for October 26.
I also want to remind veterans that the deadline is approaching to take advantage of the veteran tax credit. The credit applies to certain American military called to combat zones in 2009.
American military forces are given a tax break for their service to recognize the inherent danger of duty in these places. Those who qualify can receive a $120 credit for every month they serve in a combat zone.
The deadline for claiming the credit for service in 2009 is Oct. 15, 2013.
To receive the credit, members of the military must file Form M99, Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone, and attach corresponding Form DD-214. If they are still on active duty, they may attach Leave and Earnings statements for each month of qualifying service.
You must have been a Minnesota resident during the time of service to qualify. For more information on the military tax credit and to fill out the form, visit the Department of Revenue’s website at www.revenue.state.mn.us.
Tax credits for service in a combat zone are also available for 2010, 2011 and 2012. For more information, visit the Members of the Military page on the Department of Revenue’s website and sign up for e-mail updates on military credits, application deadlines and tax law changes. For information on locations that qualify for the tax credit, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
As we approach this Veterans' Day, I am also happy to report to you that Minnesota is one of six states selected by the National Governors Association to launch a pilot program to help veterans find jobs. Each state will develop a plan to help service members leaving the military gain civilian credentials in three of these five occupations: law enforcement, EMT or paramedic work, truck driving, licensed practical nursing, plus another health-care occupation of the state's choosing.
Also, as part of this pilot program, Minnesota will work to reduce the number of veteran unemployment claims. In addition, we will study ways to reduce costs for veterans receiving credentials. This will be a collaborative effort, with guidance and technical assistance from the Governors Association staff and consultants from private firms. We need to do all we can to assist our brave veterans who have given so much for our country, and this will be another one of the ways in which we can show them how much we appreciate all that they, and their families, have sacrificed for us.
On another note, the Minnetonka Fire Department and City Open House this past Tuesday was a wonderful community get-together, and I enjoyed visiting with many of you there. The displays provided great information on the good work our city is doing. I also had fun taking pictures with the "Emerald Ash Borer" and some folks from Keys for Kids, a wonderful non-profit in our community which collects old keys, recycles them, and uses the proceeds to benefits children in our community.
Finally, I know that the federal government partial shut-down is on all of our minds. Please join me in urging our federal elected officials to end this shut down, and avert a federal default. In Minnesota, we finished our work on time. We focused on important issues, such as freezing college tuition for our struggling students, and providing free, optional all day kindergarten for our young learners. We increased loans for small businesses so they can expand and provide much-needed jobs. The major credit rating agencies are noticing that we balanced our budget with no shifts, borrowing, or gimmicks, and one has already upgraded our bond outlook from "negative" to "stable". We are moving forward in Minnesota, and need our federal government needs to do the same.
As always, thank you for the honor of being your voice in St. Paul. Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Best,
Yvonne
Representative Yvonne Selcer, 48A
523 State Office Building
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-3964
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