Dear Neighbors,
Due to a scheduling conflict, I unfortunately need to change the time of my upcoming town hall meeting.
Originally scheduled for 6:00 PM-7:30 PM, the town hall will now be held from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM instead.
I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I understand that scheduling changes can be disruptive, and I appreciate your flexibility.
Click on the link to register for the town hall. I look forward to a productive discussion and hearing your thoughts and concerns.
Tax Reminder
Tax Day is coming up on Monday, April 15th, but there's still time to see if you qualify for the tax breaks that DFLers worked hard to deliver for families, seniors, and working-class Minnesotans. We want to ensure Minnesota families keep more of their hard-earned money, allowing them to invest in their future and contribute more to our local economies. Here are a few benefits you may be qualified for:
Property Tax Refund - DFLers worked diligently to ensure Minnesota families have access to the tax credits and deductions they've earned, strengthening their financial foundation. We worked to simplify the Property Tax Refund, making sure taxpayers receive the refunds they deserve - one third of whom are seniors or people with disabilities. You can check our county’s website here to see if you might qualify for the $204 average refund.
Renter's Credit - I encourage renters to explore this program and see if it can offer you valuable tax savings. The Renters’ Credit refunds a portion of the property taxes that renters have paid through their rents. By providing property tax refunds to qualifying homeowners and renters, my Democratic colleagues and I have worked hard to create a more equitable tax system.
Child Tax Credit - I am proud of our nation-leading Child Tax Credit that provides Minnesota families with much-needed support. Families will receive up to $1,750 for each dependent who is 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children claimed. Democrats are cutting child poverty by at least one-third with this rebate. You can only claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return, so if you have not filed yet, you can find locations with free tax preparation here.
Bill Packages Passed off the House Floor
We are halfway through the 2024 Legislative Session, and the House is focused on passing policy bill packages in major areas, as well as putting together small supplemental budgets to continue our work improving the lives of Minnesotans.
Here are the important bill packages that I was proud to vote YES on this week:
Our 2024 Elections Policy Bill focuses on improved voter access and election transparency. It targets policy areas where the state can improve voter turnout and ensure that if voting is restricted, voters have a means of redress. Additionally, it enhances disclosure requirements for those seeking to influence elections, expands voter access and comprehension, and increases election transparency.
A?public safety package?that passed unanimously and includes bipartisan provisions that protect victim-survivors and make our system more just. This bill continues House Democrats’ comprehensive approach to public safety and crime prevention with support for victims, criminal justice reform, policy modernization, and more.
A labor policy bill that includes provisions to strengthen the minimum wage, ban shadow non-competes, and increase pay transparency.
Combatting Junk Fees
Last night, I was proud to vote for two bills that protect Minnesotan consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices by ending junk fees and requiring ticket price transparency.
We are all too familiar with buying a ticket to a concert, sports game, or other event and seeing extra “service” and “convenience” fees added that provide no additional value to consumers. Our DFL team is passing legislation to end this harmful practice and require fair, and transparent ticket prices along with other important protections for consumers.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest by following my Facebook page and Twitter.
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out here. For meetings, please email my new legislative assistant Madison at: Madison.Bailey@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4277, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe.
Zoo siab,
Rep. Liz Lee (67A)
Minnesota State Representative