Dear Neighbors,
Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session convenes on Monday, February 12th. This year we will continue our focus on helping to improve the lives of all Minnesotans, especially middle class and working class Minnesotans and people who would like to get there.
New Laws
After a historic session in 2023, many new laws went into effect on July 1st and August 1st, 2023, and January 1st 2024. The nonpartisan office of House Public Information has a summary of the new laws here:
Child Tax Credit
With our nation leading Child Tax Credit, lower income families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. This rebate cuts child poverty by one third. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children. For all tax filers, this credit begins to phase out at an income level of $35,000 and fully phases out at a maximum of $90,750 for a family with four children. You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return.
Hearing on End of Life Options
In my role as chair of the House Health and Finance Committee, I presided over the first committee hearing on HF1930, a bill to establish end-of-life options for terminally ill adults. The bill, known as the End-of-Life Options Act, is modeled after an Oregon law which allows adults who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and determined to be of sound mind to be prescribed life-ending medication that can be ingested by the patient themselves. In the states that have enacted these bills none of the feared negative unintended consequences have come to pass.
This is a critical issue for many Minnesotans who want the ability to end an extended and painful dying process if they decide it is necessary. There are many strong emotions around this sensitive issue, but I believe the critical factor here is our autonomy over our own bodies, without government control over those decisions. After hours of testimony and debate, the bill passed the Health Finance and Policy with all DFLers in favor and all of the Republicans in attendance voting against. As the bill continues on to other committees I will continue working closely with the author to make sure it fits the needs of Minnesotans. You can watch the hearing here.
New Flag and State Seal
As you probably know Minnesota will have a new flag and state seal. The eight point star is taken from the star at the center of the rotunda floor in the Capitol and has special significance in both Native American and Scandinavian cultures. While the choice of a design will always be subject to debate, to my eyes these designs greatly improve on our previous flag and seal. The selection committee led a transparent and effective process. While the legislature could vote to overturn the current design, it is unlikely that this will happen. I look forward to seeing our new flag fly!
Crime Down Across MN, New Gun Laws
New data shows that crime has dropped across Minnesota in every major category.
Gun violence remains too high, however there are two new laws that went into effect recently that will help. The laws will implement improved criminal background checks and extreme risk protection orders to ensure that guns stay out of the hands of those who are not safe to have them.
EV Rebates
Last session we passed an Electric Vehicle Rebate Program allowing residents to receive a rebate of up to $2,500 for a new EV purchase and $600 for a used purchase. Electric cars, plug-ins or hybrids purchased or leased on or after May 25, 2023 are eligible. The application process went live on February 7th, and you can find more information at https://mn.gov/evrebates.
Staying in Touch
Please contact me with your questions, comments, and concerns, or if I can ever be of assistance. The best way to reach me is to email me at rep.tina.liebling@house.mn.gov. Please be sure to include your postal address so I’ll know you are my constituent. If you call my Capitol office at 651-296-0573 and leave a message, please include your email and street address. I also encourage you to follow me at my official Facebook page here.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you.
Warmly,
Tina