Dear Friends,
The last week has been full of the last finance committee hearings and passing budget bills on the House floor. Yesterday we passed the Tax bill and Environment bill, while today the Education Finance bill and Transportation Finance bills are up for debate on the House floor. Some specifics on those bills, and other items from this week are below.
Tax Bill
Our House Tax bill will provide Minnesotans across generations with $1.35 billion in tax relief. Seniors on fixed incomes, families saving for college, students paying down their student loans, and small businesses will benefit from our proposal, and I’m so pleased we were able to pass this relief. Specific provisions included:
• $269 million in relief for Minnesota’s senior citizens by increasing the income limit at which social security income is taxable. As a result, by 2019 nearly 284,000 senior citizen tax returns (single and married filing jointly) would be eligible to receive a tax exemption on their social security benefits with an average tax reduction of $710.
• More than $125 million to address college affordability through a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan payments, along with subtractions and credits for families saving for college using 529 Savings Plans. Through the student debt tax credit, 77,500 students will receive on average a $640 reduction in their taxes.
• $35 million for families with young children by modifying the child & dependent care credit. A family of four earning $50,000 a year will receive an additional $1,200 toward their childcare expenses.
• $203 million in relief for hometown businesses by exempting the first $200,000 in property value from the extra tax on businesses and freezing its automatic inflator. This helps every business owner reinvest in their business, protecting 30,000 Minnesota jobs.
Today we are debating the Education Finance bill and Transportation Finance bills. Details on those, as well as the Environment bill, will be included in next week’s email update.
Constituent Visits
It was such a pleasure having so many constituents stop by to discuss their legislative priorities with me this week:
Thank you Dana and Elizabeth for stopping by on Tuesday to discuss American Cancer Society legislative priorities.
Thanks to John, Shawn, Dan, and Simon for coming to discuss AFSCME Council 5 legislative priorities on Tuesday.
Happy to have constituents Paige and her dad Jeff (not pictured) shadow me at the Capitol on Wednesday.
Thanks to constituents Marcy, Elizabeth, and Liz for coming on Wednesday to talk about pro-choice legislative issues.
Great to have constituents Jon and Maila visit me at the Capitol on Thursday. Jon said the prayer for the opening of session.
Thanks to constituents Gabe and his daughters Tatum, Piper, and Kennedy for visiting me at the Capitol yesterday.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Coffee with a Cop
Rosemount Police Officers are available to meet with residents twice a month at local coffee shops. Starting next week, an Officer will be visiting Starbucks on the 1st Wednesday of the month and Caribou Coffee on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Folks can visit with Police Officers starting at 9am to ask questions and share their concerns.
Volunteer Resource Fair
Dakota County is hosting a Volunteer Resource Fair on Monday, April 3rd, from 3:30-5:30pm. Rosemount, Apple Valley, other communities, and charitable organizations will share many opportunities for folks to volunteer in our community. The Fair will be at the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley.
Keep in Touch
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments, questions, and concerns. Email me any time at rep.anna.wills@house.mn or call 651-296-4306. You can also follow my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repannawills. If you plan to stop by and visit me at the Capitol, my office is 491 in the State Office Building.
Sincerely,
Anna Wills
State Representative, District 57B