Dear Neighbors,
On Wednesday, Governor Dayton signed a supplemental budget bill into law that included, among other things, two provisions that will have a significant and positive impact on communities in rural Minnesota.
The first is a historic state investment in broadband to unserved and underserved parts of the state. When combined with federal funding, Minnesota will receive over $120 million next year in broadband expansion funds.
This is great news for communities in our area as we work to ensure the future economic vitality of rural western Minnesota.
The second item I wanted to highlight is a provision in the supplemental budget bill that provides a full exemption of retired veterans’ pension from state income tax.
Thanks to this provision, 18,000 retired vets in Minnesota will no longer pay state income tax on the pension they earned in defense of our nation.
Please be sure to let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding these items or anything else related to state government. I can be reached by phone at 701-361-1909 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Jeff