Dear neighbor,
Another week of the 2024 legislative session is in the books. We’ve had a productive start to the year, and we plan to keep the momentum going as we work to build economic opportunities for families and communities.
Here’s the latest from the State Capitol:
Debt Fairness Act
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country– that’s why DFLers have introduced the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act. Too many people are saddled with unmanageable debt, and our current laws have been insufficient at addressing this dilemma. Medical debt depletes peoples’ rainy-day funds, causes them to incur credit card debt, and to forgo medical treatment altogether. The Debt Fairness Act aims to unburden Minnesotans from medical debt, and help working and middle class families make ends meet.
EMT Training/Paramedic Scholarships Available
DFLers are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One of these initiatives, that I supported, funds a one-time appropriation of $3 million for up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 starting Fall 2024 to be awarded by June 30, 2026. If you or anyone you know might be interested in this opportunity to serve the public and give back to the community, you can find eligibility information here.
Tax Season Update
DFLers have been making big moves to help working families, and you’ll feel some of the benefits this year when you file your 2023 taxes. During the first week of the 2024 legislative session, the House passed a technical corrections bill for the 2023 Tax Bill. This was our very first action on the floor this year because it will affect nearly all Minnesotans as we prepare to file taxes. This bill ensures all Minnesotans receive the return for which they’re entitled. The biggest change from last year’s bill was updating how we account for inflation, and the adjustment will save Minnesotans around $300 million dollars as they file 2023 taxes.
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.
Advocates at the Capitol:
I had an engaging visit with constituents who were part of the Minnesota Art Therapists Day on the Hill. They are proposing legislation to secure an independent Clinical Art Therapist license. Arts therapy is a tool that is useful and effective. Licensing will protect the public from harm and increase access to needed mental health services across the state. I support their efforts and look forward to voting for this bill when it comes before me in committee.
We had a fantastic turnout for Mental Health Day on the Hill. I am proud to stand with NAMI Minnesota, Children's Minnesota, and all of the partners.
People across Minnesota and the country are struggling in ways we are only now coming to understand. This is especially true for young people and their families. Almost a quarter of our students say they have long-term mental health, behavior, or emotional problems. This is a crisis. There is a lack of mental health services in our state and children and families are waiting for months to access care, too often utilizing the emergency department as a last resort.
I am proud to author a bill that would help address the mental health crisis experienced by communities across Minnesota. My bill does this by increasing mental health reimbursement rates in Medicaid.
As the House co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus (RFC) and House chief author of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), I am committed to fighting for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Speaking at the UnRestrict Minnesota Action Rally for Reproductive Justice, energized me for the work ahead. Special shout out to the Macalester College students for meeting with me and sharing your stories.
Metro Food Justice Network stopped by to share their coalition’s legislative priorities. We discussed climate, mental health, market bucks, emergency assistance to farmers, and farm to school programs. It was wonderful to connect with my friends from The Good Acre, Headwaters Food Justice, MN350 Action: Climate Justice in Minnesota.
This week we heard HF2177 banning flavored tobacco in the Health Policy and Finance committee. This hearing coincided with Minnesotans for a Smoke Free Generation Day at the Capitol. Not only did we pass this bill out of committee, but I also got to hear from members of the Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota as to why they support preventing youth tobacco use and helping adults quit. Thank you for your advocacy.
I went to vote on Super Tuesday and ran into my constituent Charlie, who was an election judge. I hope you all were able to make it out to vote on Tuesday too! Thank you to everyone who was involved in the process, and thank you to Charlie for being an election judge!
Stay Connected
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for our work this year, always feel free to reach out to my office at 651-296-8799 or rep.kaohly.her@house.mn.gov, and you’ll hear back from me or my Legislative Assistant, Madisyn. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page, and subscribe to these regular emails if you haven’t already.
Sincerely,
Kaohly Vang Her
State Representative