Legislative Update – February 9, 2024Dear Neighbors, Next Monday marks the start of the 2024 legislative session, and I am excited to get back to work improving the lives of Minnesotans. The legislature runs on a two-year cycle, with one budget year and one year focusing more on policy and capital investment. This year we will continue focusing on legislation helping working families, supporting critical infrastructure projects, and more.  I will continue to serve as Vice Chair of the Economic Development Committee, and will also sit on the Higher Education, Children and Families, and Human Services Policy committees. Though we made historic progress last year in these areas, I will be pushing for new ways to strengthen our workforce, especially when it comes to social workers and other mental health professionals. Your voice is important to me! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office (rep.jessica.hanson@house.mn.gov) with any questions, comments, or ideas you have for this session! File for the Child Tax Credit!Nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit the DFL passed last year! 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. https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit Electric Vehicle RebateLast session, DFLers passed an Electric Vehicle Rebate Program allowing residents to receive a rebate of up to $2,500 for a new EV purchase and $600 for a used purchase. Electric cars, plug-ins or hybrids purchased or leased on or after May 25, 2023, are eligible. Applications are now live, and you can find more information at https://mn.gov/evrebates.  Crime Down Across MN, New Gun Violence Prevention LawsNew data shows that crime has dropped across Minnesota in every major category. As we move past a pandemic-era spike, I will continue supporting laws and funding that improve public safety. Gun violence remains too high; however, two new laws went into effect recently that will help. The laws will implement improved criminal background checks and extreme risk protection orders to ensure that guns stay out of the hands of those who are not safe to have them.  |