Hello from St. Paul,
A tax plan that simplifies Minnesota’s tax code and provides the first income tax rate cut in almost two decades will soon be debated on the Minnesota House floor.
The legislation would help middle-class Minnesotans keep more of what they earn by cutting the second tier income tax rate; 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.
Contrast this with Governor Dayton’s proposal, which would reinstate more than $1 billion in health care tax increases, raise taxes on Minnesotans in every income bracket, and force families who make $30,000 a year or less to suffer the most negative impacts.
My goal with this tax plan is to hold people harmless, not force them to pay more. With only weeks left in session, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on its progress.
Also this week, I joined the majority in the Minnesota House in approving a comprehensive education funding bill that prioritizes student safety. It allows districts to decide how to use new resources in order to best meet the needs of its school and its students. Options include hiring more school resources officers, upgrading facilities, providing mental health programming, creating school-based threat assessment teams, and more. The plan now heads to the Minnesota Senate for its approval.
If you have any questions on these or any other legislative topics, please contact me at rep.nolan.west@house.mn.
Have a good weekend,
Nolan