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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Paul Anderson (R)

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Property tax refunds, heating assistance, H.S. football and more

Friday, October 30, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

 

Harvest is winding down in our region and, although it always seems prices could be better, we have much to be thankful for this year. We have been blessed with good weather that resulted in strong yields. Mother Nature plays such a large role in our livelihood that it is a relief to get the hay in the barn, so to speak.

 

Good luck to the Minnewaska and Albany high school football teams during the state quarterfinals this weekend. In Class AA, Minnewaska is 9-1 and plays unbeaten Ottertail Central 7 p.m. today (Friday) at Alexandria H.S. In Class AAA, Albany also is 9-1 and faces undefeated Pierz 5 p.m. Saturday at St. Cloud State. The state semifinals will take place at neutral sites Nov. 5-7, followed by the Prep Bowl Nov. 13-14 at the U of M.

 

I want to pass along a couple of items of interest pertaining to property tax refunds and Minnesota's cold weather rule which applies to utilities.

 

The Minnesota Property Tax Refund Program is available to homeowners and renters in our state, but dollars often go unclaimed. Here is some information I hope will help people receive the refund checks they are due.

 

The deadline for claiming 2014 refunds is Aug. 15, 2016. That means homestead property owners who missed the Aug. 15, 2015 deadline still can apply for that property tax refund.

 

These three links provide more details, including qualification standards related to income:

 

 

 

 

As for utilities, Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule took effect this month and is in place until April 15. It is designed to help families that are struggling to make energy payments keep their heat on during the winter.

 

By state law, utilities are required to issue a notice of disconnection and provide payment plan options to stop a disconnection if there is a lapse in payments. Customers can still have their heat disconnected if a payment plan agreement cannot be reached once the required process, including any appeals, has taken place.

 

The important thing is to contact the utility company to work out a plan if you fall behind. There are a number of programs available to help people. Utility companies can walk customers through options such as Energy Assistance, the Gas Affordability Program, and the Low Income Electric Rate Discount Program.

 

Check out the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website for more information.

 

Sincerely,

Paul