Dear neighbors,
I wanted to take a moment to update you all on the good progress that’s been made this session, as we enter our second week. The state budget surplus has increased, my school lunch bill moved out of its first committee, the House has approved over $500 million in middle class tax relief, and we received good news about Minnesota property taxes. Read more below:
I recently visited with community members on the important topic of cancer prevention for our youth.
Legislative Survey
I have been out meeting people on their door steps, but I know I can’t meet everyone while their home. Please take a moment to go online and take my legislative survey to share your views on legislative priorities for this year, and share it with your friends and family.
Great talking to Eden Prairie constituents to find out their priorities for the upcoming session, and their views of last year's legislative work. Pictured here with volunteer Nate, who took notes.
Revised Budget Forecast: $1.23 Billion Surplus
Last session, the legislature was facing a $627 million deficit and $800 million in debt to Minnesota schools. I authored the bill to pay back Minnesota schools, and I’m proud to say that we’ve fully repaid schools and the state has a projected $1.23 billion budget surplus. The revised February forecast was released on Friday and showed that our state’s budget surplus increased by $408 million since November. This is the strongest structural budget in more than a decade. That’s good news for our goal this session to bring more middle class tax relief to Minnesota families and a pay raise to personal care attendants and other in-home healthcare workers. Not only does the forecast show a project surplus for the current two-year budget cycle, it projects a $2.6 billion surplus in the 2016-17 biennium.
Reduced Price School Lunches Bill
My bill to ensure that no student in Minnesota has to go without lunch at school (HF 2480) because of an inability to pay is quickly moving through the House. I’m happy to report it passed with bipartisan support through the K-12 Education Finance and Ways & Means committees and will now be voted on by the full House. This bill is so important because it fully funds hot school lunches for Minnesota children whose families cannot afford reduced-price meals. These meals provide an important lifeline for children suffering the adverse effects of poverty. Our K-12 schools should be a place where every child feels safe and valued, no matter their family circumstances.
Middle Class Tax Relief
Last week the House passed $503 million in middle class tax relief. Much of this tax relief is in the form of federal conformity. Every year the federal tax code changes, and by conforming Minnesota tax law to those changes we streamline the filing process and help middle class families get extra refund dollars for qualifying as married couples, adoptive parents, college students, home owners, and so on. The tax committee also repealed several business-to-business taxes that were not part of the House omnibus tax bill last year, but were added on in conference committee during final negotiations. I support this tax relief package to help working families during this economic recovery.
Property Taxes
I encourage you to see if you are eligible for the Homestead Credit Refund or Renter’s Credit. Some of you who may not have been eligible in the past may be eligible this year due to expanded refunds and credits. You can find more information on eligibility and how file for your property tax refund at the Department of Revenue website.
As always, thank you for the honor of serving in St. Paul. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time at rep.yvonne.selcer@house.mn or 651-296-3964.
Best,
Yvonne Selcer
State Representative