Property Tax Refunds are Increasing
Several hundred thousand Minnesota families can expect an increase in their property tax refunds: homeowners can see a three percent increase in their property tax refunds and renters can expect a six percent increase if the full legislature passes the recommendation of the House’s Property Tax and Local Division Report. For those who have submitted […]
Bonding Proposal/Cash Plan has Broad Reach
This year’s bonding proposal/cash plan which came out of the House Capital Investment Committee was released today. It includes $914.6 million in projects, $850 million of which will need to be borrowed through the bonding process. The University of Minnesota and MnSCU will both receive money for projects including $56 million to renovate the Tate […]
MNsure Registration Closed until November
According to the MNsure.org website, 2014 open enrollment closed on March 31, 2014. The next open enrollment period will be November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015, with coverage taking effect no earlier than January 1, 2015. Consumers will not be able to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan inside or outside of MNsure unless […]
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Bill
The House is considering a bill with a variety of ideals to benefit Minnesotans. Among them are: A new farm-to-food shelf program would provide incentives for farmers to give their unsold produce to food shelves. Of the department’s $1.7 million in new spending for fiscal year 2015, $1.5 million would be allocated to the non-profit […]
Broadband Expansion Considered
The House Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee heard arguments for expanding broadband in the State. “Broadband is the future of Minnesota,” said Rep. Erik Simonson (DFL-Duluth). “Minnesota lags behind in technology. Good broadband is a need and it’s frustrating to people when they don’t have the tools and cloud IT solutions St. […]
Changes in Tax Law to Benefit Middle Class
About 1 in 10 Minnesotans will see tax cuts this year as a result of the tax cut package passed by the legislature. The Department of Revenue is working to provide guidance to tax filers to make sure they can take full advantage: If you have not yet filed your 2013 taxes, you should wait […]
Help for Spiking Propane Costs
In response to the alarming spike in propane costs throughout Minnesota, the Department of Commerce recently announced additional financial assistance for eligible Minnesotans currently heating their homes with propane and heating oil. Financial assistance is available through Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP), with additional payments available as early as next week. Households with an income […]
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
I recently had the pleasure of touring the Northfield High School with the Senate Education Committee chair, Sen. Wiger and Sen. Dahle. We visited the 9th grade Academy, the TORCH program and a High Tech Robotics class that Mark Woitalla (seen above) teaches. This visit and a fair amount of thinking and reading I’ve […]