Dear Neighbor, 

We continued to work towards great solutions for Minnesotans this week, and every week, as we focused on greater affordability, safer schools, and more. I’m sure money is at the top of mind for many of you this week as Tax Day was on Wednesday. Filing taxes is an annual reminder of how much the state budget grew in 2023-24. Legislative decisions made several years ago are being implemented now and we all are feeling the impact. As families try to make ends meet, small businesses, veterans, seniors, and other taxpayers also have to balance their personal budgets. While our work remains challenging in the tied House, I want to outline a few measures we are pursuing to improve affordability for Minnesotans. 

HF495: Providing a Subtraction for Day Care Costs  

• Child care costs have skyrocketed in recent years, placing an enormous strain on working families. This bill would allow taxpayers to subtract qualifying day care expenses from their taxable income, putting more money back in the pockets of parents who are simply trying to work and provide for their children. 

HF4906: One-Time Special Property Tax Refund  

• Property taxes have climbed steadily, and many homeowners are feeling the squeeze. This one-time special property tax refund would offer direct, immediate relief to qualifying taxpayers by returning money they have already paid.

HF3562: Modifying Motor Vehicle Registration Tax to Pre-2023 Levels  

Another priority we have been focused on this session is keeping our students safe and our schools strong. Every child deserves to walk into school ready to learn, and every parent deserves peace of mind knowing their child is protected. That is why we are proud to support the Safety in Our Schools initiative, which focuses on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that protect every student in every school. 

This package takes a flexible, multilayered approach to school safety and includes four key areas. First, it increases school safety funding for public, nonpublic, and Tribal schools, ensuring that no school is left behind when it comes to the resources they need. Second, it expands funding for student mental health, recognizing that a safe school is one that supports the whole child. Third, it gives local communities options for anonymous threat reporting systems and updated school safety plans, empowering schools to address potential dangers before they become tragedies. Finally, it includes student discipline reform to help create orderly, respectful learning environments where every student can thrive. 

Unfortunately, despite these commonsense proposals, some legislators are blocking these efforts from moving forward. Our students, parents, and educators deserve action, not partisan gridlock. We will continue to fight to get this across the finish line because the safety of our children should never be a political issue. 

I recently got a question about the Homestead Market Value Exclusion at a Coffee with Tom meeting. In essence, the question is “Why has my homestead exclusion been reduced since previous years?’ Thank you to the constituent that brought this question forward.  

Now, I am going to answer this question in two different ways, because Minnesota has both a Homestead Exclusion program and a Homestead Credit Refund program. These are very easy to confuse but I will explain common reasons why you might see a reduction in each program.  

The Homestead Market Value Exclusion reduces the taxable value of your home before property taxes are calculated. If your homestead exclusion decreased from last year, there are a few common reasons why that may happen. The most common reason is an increase in your home’s estimated market value. In Minnesota, the homestead exclusion is designed to provide the most benefit to lower-valued homes and gradually decreases as home values rise. This means a higher home value can automatically reduce your exclusion. Changes to your property can also affect the exclusion. Home improvements, updated assessments from your county, or changes in how the property is used, such as renting part of the home, may reduce the amount excluded. It is also worth noting that the homestead exclusion phases out entirely for higher-valued homes. If your home value increased enough, your exclusion may decrease significantly or disappear. 

Resources: MNDOR and LoMC. 

On the other hand, the Homestead Credit Refund program provides property tax relief to homeowners whose property taxes are high relative to their income. If you have received this refund in the past and noticed your refund amount has decreased, there are a few common reasons why that may happen. The most significant factor is an increase in household income, which raises the threshold you must meet before the refund kicks in, increases the share of taxes you are required to pay out of pocket, and lowers your maximum refund amount. A decrease in your property tax bill, losing a qualifying deduction such as a dependent leaving the household, or changes in disability or age status can also reduce your refund. It is also worth noting that homeowners with a household income above $135,410 are not eligible for the program at all. If your refund looked different this year than in years past, one or more of these factors is likely the reason. 

Resources: MNDOR and House Research.  

If you have additional questions on this topic or another, please reach out and I will work with my team to try to find an answer for you! 

Coffee with Tom in Waseca will be on TODAY, Friday, April 17th  from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce. This is a change due to Good Friday occurring on April 3rd, 2026, as we shifted the schedule back one week. 

Please note that we will not host Coffee with Tom during the month of May due to our uncertain legislative schedule. As we move towards the end of session on May 18th, 2026, we could be in-session all seven days of the week. 

Thank you for your support and feedback, I hope to see you there!