Legislative Update - Fairer Fees for Consumers

Dear Neighbors, 

This week in the Minnesota House, we continued the process of debating and voting on policy proposals coming out of our committees. We also dedicated time yesterday to two standalone bills I co-authored that provide more transparency to the hidden and deceptive fees that have become all too common when buying concert tickets, booking a hotel room, and more. 

We’ve all been there - you’re either hunting for the best deal or diligently waiting for popular concert tickets, only to be confronted with a final dollar amount that’s nothing close to the initially advertised price. 

What something costs shouldn’t be a secret, that’s why I worked with my colleagues to craft and pass two bills to crack down on “junk fees” and provide upfront pricing for event tickets.

Both of these bills have now passed the House, HF 1989 with broad bipartisan support, and are on their way to the Senate. MPR covered our legislation, with a nod to its Taylor Swift origins, which you can read here. 

Public Safety, K-12 Education, Elections, and Labor

Last week on the House floor, we covered the committee bills from Higher Education, Transportation, Early Education, and Veterans and Military Affairs. This week followed a similar pattern as we focused on our K-12 Education, Public Safety, Elections, and Labor policy bills. 

Much of these policies go hand in hand with the historic investments we passed last year, complementing our state budget and ensuring Minnesotans are getting the support they need.

Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit

This is a final reminder to those who haven’t filed their taxes yet - don’t forget that Tax Day is this upcoming Monday, April 15!

A highlight of our new tax policies is our nation-leading Child Tax Credit, which provides Minnesota families with much-needed support. Eligible families can receive up to $1,750 for each dependent who is 17 years old and younger. This policy alone is cutting child poverty by at least one-third in Minnesota. You can only claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return, and if you have not filed yet, you can also find locations with free tax preparation here.

Stay Connected

The legislative session is required to end by May 20th, giving us just a little over a month to wrap up our work in St. Paul. In the meantime, please continue to reach out with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas you have for our work in the Minnesota House. Always feel free to email me at rep.michael.howard@house.mn.gov or give my office a call at 651-296-7158.

You can also stay up to date by following my official Facebook page, subscribing to these regular email updates if you haven’t already, and checking my legislative webpage for the latest information from my office. 

In partnership, 

Michael Howard