Dear neighbors,
I hope everyone is enjoying the nice spring weather. We’re still hard at work at the State Capitol as we vote on policy bills on the House Floor aimed at improving the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans.
Here’s the latest from Saint Paul:
Committee Hearings
This week, I presented my bill, HF 4047, to the Human Service Finance Committee. Last year, we made important progress getting kids with medical complexities the home care services they need by investing in rates to increase wages. And while the investments we made are making a difference, there’s still much work to do to get kids who need home care nursing services the level of care that they need. This bill is one solution to help get pediatric patients who are waiting to be discharged from a hospital the appropriate care they need at home, in turn alleviating some of the pressure on our children’s hospitals. The average discharge delay attributed to the lack of nursing access is 90+ days, costing approximately $450,000 per child. My proposal would invest $1 million over two years to develop and implement a program that is hyper-focused on pediatric hospital-to-home discharges. My bill aims to help reduce avoidable days in the hospital, free up beds for other patients, increase staffing resources, and –most importantly– bring kids home to their families.
Tax Season Reminder
Tax Day is this Monday, April 15! As a reminder, if you’re a renter, don't forget to claim your property tax refund! This is the first year renters will be able to receive this credit with their tax filing rather than later in the year. Along with making it simpler and more convenient, we also expanded the credit to many Minnesotans who didn’t qualify previously.
I also want to remind you that nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit! With our Child Tax Credit, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Democrats are cutting child poverty by one-third 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, with no limit on the number of children. 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.
Minnesota families: If you qualify, file your taxes to make sure you claim the benefits available to you.
Funding Habitats Across Minnesota
This week, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) issued its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Approximately $150 million will be available for both metro and statewide grants to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, protection and enhancement.
This is a great opportunity for investment in the habitats that exist in our own community!
Requests are due to the LSOHC on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 4 p.m., with funds for approved programs signed into law during the 2025 legislative session being available on Monday, July 1, 2025.
Since the Outdoor Heritage Fund’s creation in 2008, $1.6 billion in on-the-ground habitat programs have been allocated by the Minnesota Legislature and over 1.4 million acres of Minnesota forests, prairies and wetlands have been restored, protected or enhanced. The latest set of funding recommendations totaling $180 million is currently before the Minnesota Legislature.
Proposal requirements and terms of funding are outlined in the Call for Funding Request. To view details or learn more, visit: www.lsohc.mn.gov. For answers to specific questions, contact LSOHC Staff: www.lsohc.mn.gov/staff. If you have a potential project proposal but are unsure, LSOHC are there to help!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime you have questions, need assistance, or have input to share at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5506. I always appreciate hearing from you. You’re also welcome to follow me on my official Facebook page for more updates.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Apple Valley neighbors at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative