Dear Neighbors,
Session is just around the corner, we’ll convene next Monday, February 12th to begin our business for 2024.
New Laws
As a quick recap to a historic session, new laws went into effect starting July 1st of last year. These laws are already creating positive benefits for our state! 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, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. We will be decreasing child poverty in Minnesota by 1/3 with this rebate! You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger. 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.
Capitol Mall Design Survey
The CAAPB (Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board) is conducting a process to look at the Capitol Mall and how it could be improved to better reflect all Minnesotans and feel more welcoming and active to residents, workers, visitors and more Minnesotans. Please take the survey (closes Feb 15.) The more voices and input we have on the Mall, the better it can reflect and represent Minnesota.
Hearing on End of Life Options
The House Health and Finance Committee held a public 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, usually to be taken at home. In the states that have enacted these bills none of the feared negative unintended consequences have come to pass. You can watch the hearing here.
Crime Down Across MN, New Gun Laws
New data shows that crime has dropped across Minnesota in every major category. As we move past a pandemic era spike, I will continue to support laws and funding that improve public safety.
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. I will also be working on safe storage legislation in the upcoming session.
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.
Stay in Touch
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance or if you have questions or feedback that you’d like to share. You can reach me by email at rep.jamie.becker-finn@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-7153.
Sincerely,
Jamie Becker-Finn
State Representative