Legislative Update - New Tax Benefits for Minnesotans

Dear Neighbors, 

This tax season, I want to make sure our community knows about some of the recent changes we passed into law - all of which have helped make Minnesota’s tax system the most equitable among US states. I’ve brought up our new Child Tax Credit is previous newsletters, but there are even more refunds, exemptions, and credits that you may be eligible for:

You can find more information and resources at the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

101 Environmental Projects

In the Minnesota House, we passed legislation to fund 101 projects across our state that protect our wildlife, water, air, and soil. 

Minnesotans take pride in our legacy of environmental stewardship, and thanks to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, even though the vast majority of us won’t win big playing the lottery, the proceeds from it ensure our environment and natural resources are protected for generations to come.

The 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Bill includes funding for environmental education projects, climate change and natural resources research, clean water resources, invasive species response, conservation land acquisition, and habitat protection and restoration projects. A full list of projects can be found here.

You Can’t Learn On An Empty Stomach

Last week, two of my bills expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were heard in the Children and Families Committee. The first, House File 3469, which I covered in my previous newsletter, would establish food assistance as medicine. The second, House File 4517, I presented yesterday, and would open up SNAP eligibility for students enrolled in higher education. 

According to Students United, over 25% of Minnesota students enrolled in higher education programs are food insecure. While SNAP is the primary mechanism for addressing food insecurity, it is very difficult for students to qualify. In 2021, Congress passed two temporary exemptions to expand postsecondary student access to SNAP during COVID. 

Students with work-study and a family contribution of zero dollars on the FAFSA became SNAP eligible. However, once the public health emergency expired, the federal work requirements kicked back in, basically eliminating SNAP as an option for full-time students. My bill would fix that. 

Shout out to Students United for testifying on this bill with me. Thanks to their support, we passed our first committee hurdle with no opposition. You can watch that bill presentation here. 

But it’s not just college students we’re trying to feed! The House recently passed legislation to adjust state formula-funded programs to match the updated February 2024 budget forecast. The biggest changes in this bill are related to the overwhelming popularity of universal school breakfast and lunch programs which we enacted last year. Participation in the universal school meals program surpassed the initially anticipated increase by more than 20%. I’m happy to say this bill passed with unanimous support. 

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long came to Minnesota to celebrate the 4.3 million more breakfasts and 4.5 million more lunches that were served to Minnesota students last fall than in the same period in 2022.

MPR had a great story about the success of this program that you can read here.

Stay Connected

Now is the best time to reach out with any questions, comments, or ideas you may have on our to improve our community and state. You also always reach out to my office at rep.heather.keeler@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5515. I look forward to hearing from you!

In community, 

Rep. Heather Keeler

Minnesota House of Representatives