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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL)

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Legislative Update – May 10, 2022

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Hello Northlanders,

There are less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session as we keep working to deliver investments from our budget surplus to help Minnesotans tackle increased costs, improve opportunities for students, and support the ongoing success of workers, families, and communities across the state. Here’s an update from Saint Paul

Frontline Worker Pay Updates

Frontline worker pay graphic

House DFLers, Senate Republicans, and Governor Walz recently came together on a bipartisan compromise to deliver $500 million in bonus payments to frontline workers. Additionally, the measure fully replenished the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund helping businesses avoid an unnecessary tax increase. Our frontline heroes put their own health and safety on the line to keep our state moving, and as a result of this bill, hundreds of thousands of health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service and retail workers, and many more will receive an extra bonus.

Frontline workers are encouraged to visit frontlinepay.mn.gov and subscribe to receive updates about the application process. An application system is in development and should be live in early June. Once the application window opens, workers will have 45 days to apply. A full FAQ document, including eligibility information, is available here.

Supporting Our Veterans

Minnesota’s veterans and service members make incredible sacrifices for all of us. They deserve our full support to have a healthy, strong, and prosperous future in our state. On Friday, after reaching a bipartisan agreement, the House approved the 2022 Veterans & Military Affairs budget. This compromise includes numerous investments in those who’ve donned the uniform of the United States of America, including further action to tackle veteran homelessness, service bonuses for post-9/11 era veterans, and additional funding for new veterans homes in Bemidji, Preston, and Montevideo.

I’m deeply proud of the bipartisan support the bill received, which is now headed to Governor Walz for his signature.

Reducing Costs for Minnesotans

Last Wednesday, the House approved our Tax bill with a variety of solutions to tackle some of the biggest costs facing Minnesotans. It reduces the cost of child care by providing a “Great Start Child Care Credit” of up to $3,000 for each child under five years of age, capped at $7,500 in total tax credits. It also provides a one-time “Child Tax Credit Rebate” of $325 for each child under 17 years of age. By expanding the Homestead Credit Refund and Renter’s Credit, the bill would deliver the biggest property tax cut in two decades.

The bill also contains an important piece I chief authored to help folks in northern Minnesota by reforming the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. For years, PILT has been grossly inequitable. Despite 95% of PILT land being in northern Minnesota – including over half of all land in Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and Aitkin counties eligible for PILT – the bulk of PILT increases over the past four decades have gone to southern Minnesota counties. This bill will restore sufficient PILT funding for northern Minnesota counties while living up to the program’s original purpose.

Additionally, the legislation contains increases to Local Government Aid and County Program Aid which help critical public services continue while keeping property taxes in check. A fact sheet with more details about the bill is available here.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and successful fishing opener! Please contact me with your feedback and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative