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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you are staying safe and warm! I’m sure that, like me, you are enjoying the slightly longer daylight – always such a hopeful turn in the year!
I was grateful for the peaceful transition of power in Washington, D.C. this week and am especially thankful for the service of all of the 750 members of the Minnesota National Guard members and other law enforcement officers who ensured the safety of our Capitol. I will pray for wisdom and success for President Biden and Vice President Harris. May God continue to bless our beloved country!
There were several important updates in St. Paul this week – I hope you enjoy this update!
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Executive Summary
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Bill to expand K-12 education tax credits and deductions
- COVID-19 vaccine rollout
- Driver's license renewal
- California car mandate
- Online "Office Hours" - next Friday from 11:00am - 12:00pm
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Bill to expand education tax credits
This week I introduced a bill to expand the current education and tax credit and deduction for K-12 expenses, including expanding the tax credit to include tuition (HF153.) I was instrumental in getting this tax credit/deduction passed back in 1997. The amount of tax relief for families has not increased since 2001, so this change is long overdue.
My bill would increase the tax deduction for qualifying expenses from $1,625 to $2,600 per student in grades K-6 and from $2,500 to $3,900 for students in grades 7 through 12.
The tax credit would now be available for families with income under $50,000 (was $33,500) and the maximum credit per family is increased from $1,000 to $1,500 per child in grades K-12.
COVID created an enormous challenge for Minnesota families this year, both academically and financially. An increase in the amount of the K-12 education tax credit/deduction will help families who incurred extra expenses for tutoring, supplies, and technology while students learned from home.
The pandemic also illustrated the need for greater parent choice in education. Non-public schools demonstrated that students could continue in-person learning safely and online schools, which differ substantially from "distance learning" models, offered parents important options to meet the needs of their children.
Parents need to have more control over their child's education. They know their children best and understand what learning environment is best for each child. By including tuition in the tax credit, we are giving children from lower income households the same educational opportunities as children from more affluent households to ensure fair and equitable education for all children in Minnesota.
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COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Monday's announcement of MDH's new vaccine distribution pilot program became very frustrating for many on Tuesday when the registration systems were overwhelmed. The program, which you can learn more about here, targets vaccinations towards adults aged 65 and older, teachers, and childcare providers. The nearest pilot sites to us are in Brooklyn Center and Andover.
Appointments will become available on Tuesdays with vaccinations to take place on Thursdays. Teachers and childcare workers are being randomly selected through their employers to receive their vaccination and should not attempt to make an appointment unless you are notified by your employer that you’ve been selected to receive a vaccine.
Those over age 65, however, can schedule their own appointments via MDH's website or phone: 612-426-7230 or 833-431-2053.
This past Tuesday, unfortunately, the first day for scheduling appointments did not go well. The online scheduler and phones were flooded with people trying to get their appointments and the systems crashed in the first 30 minutes. Understandably, older Minnesotans are anxious to get the vaccine so they can return to normal life, but the demand is currently much greater than supply. The state currently receives approximately 60,000 doses per week, which is not enough to meet demand by those currently receiving priority, let alone the entire population.
Although supply is limited, we still have significant work to do to ensure that vaccines that we do have are getting distributed as quickly as possible. As of this week, only 40.4% of the vaccine received has been distributed. The Health & Human Services Committee on which I serve is looking into this and I’m hoping additional distribution channels, such as using independent pharmacies, will soon become available.
I urge patience in the coming weeks as MDH works to improve our vaccination distribution systems. Know that I am asking the tough questions on the Human Services Finance & Policy committee at our briefings with MDH officials. I am working to safely get businesses open and kids back to school as quickly as possible.
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Driver's license renewal
COVID-19 has interrupted normal government services, including driver’s license renewals. Minnesota driver's license expiration dates have been extended, but that extension is soon coming to an end. Licenses that would have expired between March 13, 2020, and January 31, 2021, are now valid through March 31, 2021. You can learn more about this extension here.
Hennepin County Service Centers are operating by appointment only, there are no walk-ins. If your driver's license is set to expire, you can make an appointment or renew online.
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California Car Mandate
Gov. Walz is trying to implement the California Car Mandate thru administrative rule rather than the legislature. This disastrous policy would raise the cost of all new vehicles for Minnesota families by $1,000 or more, reduce consumer choice, and would make Minnesota the only state in the Midwest to place burdensome mandates on auto dealerships.
I encourage all Minnesotans to weigh in on this issue. Details on MPCA’s public information sessions on Jan 27, and Feb 2 and how to submit public comment can be found here.
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New "Office Hours"
Like you, I am frustrated by the inability to meet in person or have people come to my office at the Capitol. I am going to try holding virtual “office hours” to give people a regular way to share their concerns with me. If this doesn’t work for you, please still reach out by email and my LA will try to find other times that work for you!
My first “office hours” will be next Friday, January 29th, from 11:00-12:00. You can register for the Zoom meeting by emailing my LA. I look forward to meeting with you!
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Photos
I updated the Maple Grove City Council this week and was able to see the “retirement party” for the longtime Chair of the Maple Grove Planning Commission, Larry Colson. Thanks for your 17 years of exceptional service to our community, Larry!
Zoom Meeting to hear Legislative priorities from the MN League of Cities.
Bob Tennessen, author of Minnesota’s “Tennessen Warning” regarding data privacy rights testified at our Judiciary Committee meeting this week. He is a legend among data privacy geeks like me!
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Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance. My office phone number is 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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