On Saturday, March 8, I’ll be hosting a town hall meeting for our Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan neighbors. Constituents are invited to submit questions ahead of time by emailing me at rep.john.huot@house.mn.gov. The event will also be live streamed on my official Facebook page here.  Our work continues in the Minnesota House. Here’s a look at what I’m working on: On Tuesday this week, I had a public hearing in the Health Finance Committee on a bill I’m carrying to strengthen non-emergency medical transportation resources for our most vulnerable and marginalized communities in Minnesota. NEMT aims to provide Medical Assistance enrollees with safe and cost-effective transportation options to get to and from non-emergency medical services appointments. Medical necessity determines which of the types or levels of transport services the Minnesotan is certified for to transport to and from covered medical services. It’s not lost on me that the billions in MA cuts proposed by the Trump Administration will impact low-income and disabled Minnesotans who rely on NEMT to live a healthy, quality life. I’ve been in touch with members of Congress to voice my concerns. If you’re an MA recipient, or know someone who is impacted by these potential MA cuts, you can contact anyone in our local congressional delegation by clicking the links below: U.S. Rep Angie Craig U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar U.S. Senator Tina Smith While we anxiously await an executive order or action from Congress, I remain hopeful the current administration will come around to keep these critical lifelines for individuals who rely on them. Even my colleagues on the other side of the aisle understand the severity of these cuts. Slashing Medicaid will affect 1.4 million Minnesotans who rely on critical Medical Assistance. With the cuts and chaos at the federal level, many Minnesotans employed in the federal government have had their jobs recklessly eliminated. They do important work supporting our veterans, keeping our food supply safe, and providing health care services. I'm interested in hearing from folks in our community who've lost their jobs working in the federal government under the current administration. If this applies to you and you feel comfortable sharing your story, please me at rep.john.huot@house.mn.gov. Capitol and Community VisitsIt’s been great to catch up with community members advocating at the Capitol for the issues they care about most. This week, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of dedicated students from Rosemount, currently attending the University of Minnesota Duluth. These students shared their pressing concerns regarding the potential cuts to higher education funding at the federal level, a matter that significantly affects their academic experience and future opportunities. Their passion for their education was evident as we discussed the implications of these challenges.  I also recently had the privilege to meet with the Saint Paul Fire Chief and the Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services, and our discussion highlighted a pressing challenge: while the run volume for EMS has seen significant increases, reimbursement rates have unfortunately declined. I am carrying legislation this year to ensure that our EMS services can continue to provide the high level of care that our communities depend on. The need for comprehensive support in this critical sector has never been more urgent.  Tax Season - Child Tax Credit and Renter’s CreditTax Season is in full swing, and there are two key credits to keep in mind as you file this year, both of which were fought for by the DFL last biennium - the Child Tax Credit and recent changes to the Renter’s Credit. To check your eligibility and learn more about Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit, please check out the Minnesota Department of Revenue's website. This is a good resource to have handy when you file your taxes, and remember: if you are eligible for the child tax credit, you must file for it; it is not automatic. Don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help or have questions.  Minnesota renters eligible for a property tax refund will now claim their Renter’s Credit on their Minnesota Individual Income Tax return. The Renter’s Credit will be part of their income tax refund amount, and can be applied to the amount owed on their income tax return, or to other debts referred to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Having the Renter’s Credit on the state income tax form will simplify filing for the around 300,000 renters who claim a property tax refund each year. Renters will no longer have to file a separate return and wait until August or September to get their refund. You can learn more about the Renter’s Credit on the Department of Revenue website.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime at rep.john.huot@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4306 with questions, input, or to let me know how I can help. Thank you for the honor of serving our Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan neighbors at the State Capitol. Take care. Sincerely, John |