Dear Neighbors,
This week at the legislature was filled with long floor sessions as the House debated and approved multiple omnibus bills covering various policy areas. Here’s a quick update from the Capitol with some news and information about some of the legislation that was passed.
House Passes Tax Bill
On Monday, the House passed bipartisan tax legislation to simplify Minnesota’s tax code to allow filers to fully benefit from federal tax reform and provide additional tax relief to middle-class Minnesotans. The bill delivers significant tax relief for middle-class families by reducing the second tier income tax rate. This historic tax reduction would be Minnesota’s first income tax rate cut in nearly 20 years, and would result in over 2.1 million Minnesota filers seeing a tax reduction. I was proud to vote in favor of this bill which will allow Minnesotans to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Some specific changes in the bill include cutting the second tier income tax rate from 7.05% to 6.75% by tax year 2020; lowering taxes for people at all income levels by increasing the standard deduction from $13,000 to $14,000; protecting families by preserving a state personal and dependent exemption of $4,150; and encouraging affordable homeownership by allowing a state-itemized deduction of up to $30,000 in property taxes.
Also included in the tax legislation is a provision that I originally authored. This component of the bill provides a sales tax exemption for the materials that will be used in the construction of a new distribution facility for the non-profit Second Harvest Heartland food bank. Removing this sales tax will allow this organization to best carry out its important work fighting hunger in our state.
Omnibus Budget Bills
In addition to the tax bill, the House passed a number of other omnibus budget bills this week. These bills are focused on policies that will positively benefit Minnesotans, such as significant transportation investments and tackling health care costs.
Highlights of these bills include:
There are a lot of important provisions that will benefit Minnesota’s taxpayers and families in our supplemental budget adjustment bills. In the final few weeks of session, I look forward to finding compromise with Governor Dayton and the Senate on these issues.
At the Capitol
Had a great time meeting up with 4th graders from Schaeffer Academy during their visit to the Capitol this week.
Please Contact Me
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts on the issues that will be coming before me for votes on the House floor in the final weeks of session. You can reach me via phone at (651) 296-4378 or via email at rep.nels.pierson@house.mn.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Nels