It’s week two of the 2024 legislative session, and boy, do we have some news for you. This week on BRAND NEWS, a technical tax corrections bill, addressing worker shortages, and a report on how much additional money will be returning to our district through the Homestead Credit and the Renter’s Credit, expanded by DFLers last session.  

Nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit the DFL passed last year! With our Child Tax Credit, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Democrats are cutting child poverty by one-third with this rebate.  

You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children. For all tax filers, this credit begins to phase out at an income level of $35,000 and fully phases out at a maximum of $90,750 for a family with four children.  

Minnesota families: If you qualify, file your taxes to make sure you claim the benefits available to you. 

On Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m., you’ll have the opportunity to participate in our democracy by attending your precinct caucuses. The events – held every two years by Minnesota’s political parties – select volunteers to organize local activities, discuss issues to be included in the party platforms, and choose delegates to represent the precinct at future conventions.  

More information, including meeting locations for your precinct, is available from the Minnesota Secretary of State.  

Minnesota’s Presidential Primary is also coming up on Tuesday, March 5 for our major political parties, and early voting is already open. Learn more, including your polling location, from the Secretary of State’s website. 

Last Wednesday we honored Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance. Our colleagues in the Native American Legislative Caucus took a moment to reflect on this day, its importance, and held a moment of silence. You can watch their remarks here. 

For more information, I encourage you to check out the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, a first-in-the-nation office we established in 2021. 

As always, I want to hear from you. Get in touch by calling 651-296-8634 to reach me, or email rep.jeff.brand@house.mn.gov. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.  

Stay warm out there.  

In solidarity,  

Representative Jeff Brand 

Minnesota House of Representatives