Legislative Update - Committee Meetings, Cold Weather, and Tax Credits

It’s great to be on the House Floor, working with colleagues

For me, that means spending time in the House’s Education Policy Committee, the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, and the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee.   

As part of our power-sharing agreement, committees are currently controlled by House Republicans, but in the likely scenario where the March special election in Roseville returns the House to a tie, our committees will reflect that with balanced membership and DFL and GOP co-chairs.   

The only way we’re going to be able to accomplish anything this year is by working together. I’m coming at proposals from House Republicans with an open mind, and while there’s some common ground, a lot of what they’re promoting with their limited time in control are not bills that I think will benefit Minnesotans and I appreciate so many of you reaching out and sharing your concerns as well. We’re going to need to work in a bipartisan manner these next two years, but I’ll never do so in a way that sacrifices our community's shared values.  

The transition to focusing more of my time in St. Paul was made all the easier by the Duluth and St. Louis County Days that took place last week at the State Capitol! It was great to meet with folks from back home and collaborate on issues that are impacting our region. From discussions on bonding for things like the Union Gospel Mission and replacing the airport’s traffic control tower to discussions on school funding and training programs, one thing is clear; there are a lot of people working hard to keep our region a great place to live, work, and visit. Thank you to everyone that came down! 

Duluth Public Schools

City of Duluth

UMD Student Government

Duluth Seaway Port Authority, and City Council

I’ll continue to keep you updated on our work in the House, and let you know about some helpful information and resources for our community

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule 

We had some especially cold days this week, which is a perfect time to remind folks about the resources available to you, as well as some relatively new laws meant to protect renters in these cold months.   

First and foremost is Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule, which is in effect until April 30, and protects your heat from being shut off.   

To ensure your service is safe from disconnection you must make and keep a payment plan that you and your utility provider agree on. Although Minnesota has very cold winters, it’s never had a statewide law requiring landlords to maintain a minimum temperature for rental units. That changed during last year’s legislative session after the DFL took action to protect renters.  

Minnesota landlords are required to keep rental units at a minimum of 68 degrees from October to April if the tenant does not control the thermostat. We are committed to making sure everyone stays warm, healthy, and safe all winter long. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website here.  

Credits to Remember this Tax Season 

It’s not just cold weather season, it’s also tax season, and there are two key credits to keep in mind as you file this year - the Child Tax Credit and recent changes to the Renter’s Credit.   

To check your eligibility and learn more about Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit, please check out the Minnesota Department of Revenue's website. These are good documents to have ready to go when you file your taxes, and remember: if you are eligible for the child tax credit, you must file for it; it is not automatic. Don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help or have questions. 

Minnesota renters eligible for a property tax refund will now claim their Renter’s Credit on their Minnesota Individual Income Tax return.  

The Renter’s Credit will be part of their income tax refund amount, be applied to the amount owed on their income tax return or be applied to other debts referred to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. This new, streamlined way of receiving the Renter’s Credit was another accomplishment of the DFL’s from the last two years.  

Having the Renter’s Credit on the state income tax form will simplify filing for the around 300,000 renters who claim a property tax refund each. Renters will no longer have to file a separate return and wait until August or September to get their refund. You can learn more about the Renter’s Credit on the Department of Revenue website. 

Stay Connected 

Thank you to everyone in our community who met with me over the last month to ensure I could hit the ground running once the House was organized. Now that I’ll be spending more time in St. Paul, please continue to reach out and connect with me on the issues that matter most to you.  

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please feel free to contact my office! You can reach me at rep.pete.johnson@house.mn.gov or (651) 296-4246. You’ll either hear back from me, or our Legislative Assistant, Faith Privett. You can also follow along on my new Legislative Facebook page.    

I look forward to hearing from you!  

Sincerely,   

Pete Johnson  

State Representative