Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The House and Senate adjourned sine die on Sunday evening, officially concluding the 2016 legislative session. Here is an update from the Capitol.
Tax Relief
One of the biggest accomplishments of the 2016 legislative session was the substantial, bipartisan tax relief bill that the House and Senate sent to Governor Dayton. The total bill includes more than $800 million in tax relief for farmers, veterans, families, college students and Greater Minnesota businesses, with more than half a billion in ongoing and permanent tax relief.
Highlights in the bill include:
- $90.6 million in agriculture property tax relief for Minnesota farmers
- $110 million in tax relief for college graduates paying off student loans through a refundable tax credit up to $1,000, the first of its kind in the country
- $49 million in tax relief for families who contribute to 529 Plans to save for their children's college costs
- $146 million in property tax relief for every small business in the state by exempting the first $100,000 of commercial-industrial property
- $13 million in tax relief for veterans by raising the income eligibility threshold, and increasing the total credit from $750 to $1,000.
- $150 million in tax relief for working families by expanding the working family tax credit
- $32 million to reduce the cost of childcare; by expanding the childcare tax credit, families could earn a tax credit up to $960
What's more, in a separate supplemental spending bill, House Republicans ensured that veteran retirement pay is now exempt from state income tax which will put more money back in the pockets of 18,000 Minnesota veterans. That bill also contained $35 million in funding to improve broadband for underserved and unserved areas of our state.
Overall, Minnesotans will see substantial tax relief thanks to House Republican efforts, and I am hopeful that Governor Dayton will soon sign the bill into law.
Senate Majority Blocks Transportation and Bonding
The House passed significant funding to improve transportation and infrastructure projects in Northwest Minnesota on Sunday with the understanding that Senate Democrats would also pass the bill before adjournment. The House passed the bonding bill on a bipartisan vote of 91-39, and the bill included more than $700 million in funding for roads and bridges statewide. Unfortunately, the Senate DFL majority decided to block that bill at the last minutes of session, trying to force funding in the legislation for light rail in Minneapolis.
I am disappointed that they blocked the bill, as it had a number of important projects for our district including $12.5 million for small city roads, $826,000 for Northland Community College laboratory renovations, $3 million for the Polk County North Country Food Bank in Crookston, $5.3 million for the sewer interconnect project between East Grand Forks and Grand Forks, flood mitigation funding and the Polk County solid waste improvement project. All of these projects would have been beneficial to our community, and it's disappointing they were held hostage over an unpopular light rail project in the metro.
There has been some talk over a short special session so the Senate can pass our bipartisan bonding bill that includes important projects and significant funding for roads and bridges—a priority that Minnesotans overwhelmingly share. I will keep you updated if the governor decides to call a special session.
Railroads and Utilities Legislation
Another bill passed by the Senate and House and sent to Governor Dayton at the end of session is a bill I authored that helps telecomm companies access space across railroad crossing right-of-ways. The bill is about bringing consistency in cost and access to utilities who, especially in areas in Greater Minnesota, can stumble upon roadblocks with railroads.
I am hopeful the governor will soon sign this bill into law as well.
Town Halls
I am hosting a number of town halls next month and hope you'll be able to attend. I look forward to sharing our accomplishments from the 2016 legislative session, and gathering input and answering questions about issues important to our area. I hope to see you there!
Crookston: Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 10:00 AM at the Irishman's Shanty (1501 South Main Street).
East Grand Forks: Monday, June 6, 2016, at 5:00 PM at East Grand Forks City Hall (600 Demers Ave).
Fertile: Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 5:30 PM at Erickson's Smokehouse (605 S Mill Street).
Oklee: Thursday, June 9, 2016, at 12:00 PM at the Oklee Café (301 Main Street).
Brooks: Thursday, June 9, 2016, at 5:00 PM at the Brooks Community Center (200 Main Street).
Red Lake Falls: Thursday, June 9, 2016, at 7:00 PM at City Hall (108 2nd Street SW).
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B