Dear Neighbors, I hope this finds you well. It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through March and the 2023 legislative session. Committees are wrapping up bills, and much of our focus will soon shift to House Floor action to pass legislation and advance it to the Senate. Here’s an update from the Capitol: Last week, the House Taxes Committee heard a pair of bills related to state tax exemption on Social Security benefits. The first, HF 300, would fully exempt all seniors from paying taxes on Social Security. The second bill, HF 1040, exempts the state Social Security tax for folks with adjusted gross income below $80,000 (for married joint returns) or $62,500 (for single or head of household returns) to subtract the full amount of the taxpayer’s taxable Social Security benefits. Although I do not serve on the committee, I’m tracking both measures and will keep you updated as they travel through the legislative process to be vetted and considered. Fighting for Equitable EMS Care and AccessThis week, I have several bills receiving a hearing in the Health Finance and Policy Committee related to Emergency Medical Services and improving access. These include reimbursement costs to ambulance services for volunteer education, fuel reimbursement costs for nonemergency medical transportation and ambulance service, grant funding for our state’s eight regional EMS centers, and more. Everyone deserves to have access to quick action and an EMS response when they need it. You can find the bills I’m carrying in the House on my legislative website here.  Yesterday, I presented one of my bills to the House Public Safety committee. HF 2465 focuses on recruiting more law enforcement officers across the state by creating an intensive, comprehensive peace officer education and training program. This program would provide free law enforcement education and training to current qualified college degree holders. The second portion of the bill expands eligibility of retired peace officers to participate in the state insurance program. I'm glad it's being considered to be included to a future Public Safety package of legislation. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Permits & LicensingWith Spring just around the corner, many Minnesotans have begun to apply for fishing licenses. It was recently brought to my attention by some folks in our community that the DNR licensing system was down over the weekend. After bringing it to the attention of the Deputy Commissioner, the system was re-set and up and running. Fishing licenses are effective from March 1 to the last day of February of the following year. A fishing license for the current 2023-24 license year is effective until Feb. 29, 2024. If you have questions or encounter any difficulties applying, please feel free to contact me directly. My job is to help make our state government work for you and our neighbors. |