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News from Representative Petersburg 02-18-2013

Monday, February 18, 2013

Dear friends,

Some updates from last week at the Capitol:

Tax Conformity

Last week, the Minnesota House unanimously approved legislation that conforms Minnesota’s individual income tax and corporate franchise tax to most federal changes enacted since April 14, 2011, for the tax year 2012.

Passing this legislation gives tax relief to many middle-class Minnesotans, and prevents many Minnesotans from having to amend their tax returns in the future. With Minnesotans now receiving their W-2’s and other end of the year tax documents in the mail, it was critical for the Legislature to take quick action so residents would not encounter delays in receiving their tax refund.

Farmer-Lender Mediation Act

Also last week, the House voted 124-5 to extend the sunset date of the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act until 2017. I was a co-author on the bill, which extends the date of the act that requires a bank or creditor to offer mediation to a farmer before collecting on any debt secured by agriculture property in the form of land, crops, or livestock.

This bill is good for farmers and lenders alike, and I was pleased to see it pass by such a wide margin.

Constituent Visits

This week it was great to welcome Dave Beaver, manager of the Owatonna Airport to Saint Paul to testify before the Transportation Policy Committee. He was joined by Taylor, a student from Owatonna and a member of their Option Program.


Other visits included:

-Mark Fritsch & Roger Warhime from Owatonna Public Utilities

-Rachel Valesano, the Nutrition Service Director for Owatonna Public Schools.

-Constituents visiting as a part of Minnesota Hospitality Day.

-Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals who came to discuss school maintenance and facility funding.

Have a great week,

John Petersburg
State Representative, District 24A