Legislative Update- September 1, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe it’s already back to school season in Minnesota. Our students and families in ISD #196 have experienced unimaginable challenges in education over the past year and a half, which is why my legislative colleagues and I worked together to secure the largest investment in public schools in 15 years. All our children deserve a quality education and the resources they need to catch up and thrive, especially after an unprecedented global pandemic. As a result of our bipartisan collaboration, ISD #196 will receive $203 more per student in 2022 and $342 more in 2023.

Tax Benefits on School Supplies

As your family prepares for the upcoming academic year, many school supply purchases qualify for K-12 tax benefits to your 2021 Minnesota tax return. Save receipts from these purchases, including distance learning needs, and claim the K-12 Education Credit or Subtraction. You can learn more about these tax returns here. Here are some expenses that qualify for refunds:

• Paper and notebooks
• Pens and pencils
• Rental or purchases of educational equipment, including musical instruments
• Computer hardware (including hotspots, modems, and routers) and educational software (up to $200 for the subtraction and $200 for the credit)
• After-school tutoring and educational summer camps taught by a qualified instructor

Gable Steveson Day- September 2

Tomorrow, Apple Valley High School will hold a celebratory program for community members to congratulate our hometown Gold Medal Olympian, Gable Steveson. The city is proclaiming September 2 to be Gable Steveson Day, and the event will take place in AVH’s Gymnasium at 2:00 p.m. Face coverings are required to be in the building. If you have questions, please email eve.heeralall@applevalleymn.gov.

Save the Date- Community Coffee Hours September 11 & 25

I’m hosting two in-person community coffee hour events in September. On Saturday, September 11, and on Saturday, September 25 at 9:00 a.m., community members are welcome to gather at Dunn Bros in Apple Valley (15265 Galaxie Ave) to ask questions and provide input. I’ll also give a brief legislative update from the Capitol. The events are nonpartisan, and everyone is welcome! Hope to see you there.

Redistricting Process Begins

It’s time to start the redistricting process that happens once every ten years. The objective is to make sure the new maps are fair and reflect the geographic, racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of Minnesota.

Redistricting happens every decade after the U.S. Census is conducted. Legislators use full and complete Census data to draw political maps that reflect how the population in Minnesota has changed. That means redrawing the boundaries of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, 67 state senate districts, and 134 state house districts.  At the end of the process, each one should contain approximately the same amount of people as other districts of its kind.

In the coming weeks, the committee will be hearing from folks from every corner of the state. Residents of our district, the 2nd Congressional District, are welcome to testify on Wednesday, September 15 at 11:30 a.m. I encourage you to share input with us on how the maps should be drawn, and the overall redistricting process. Apple Valley and Lakeville residents can sign up to testify or submit written testimony by emailing nancy.conley@house.mn.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn or 651-296-5506 with questions, ideas, or feedback. You are welcome to follow me for additional community updates on my Facebook page.

Thank you for the honor of serving our neighbors at the State Capitol.  

Have a safe holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Robert Bierman

State Representative