Last week, Minnesota Senate Republicans unveiled an $8.5 billion tax cut that would be phased in over the next three years. Senator Rich Draheim said the tax cut will help Minnesotans in the lowest tax bracket and retired people living on a fixed income.
“We’ve had surplus after surplus,” he said. “We have a structural problem. We have increased spending every year in this state, and we still have budget surpluses.
“We’re collecting too much [in taxes]. So, what we’re proposing to do is to give that money back in permanent tax cuts.”
The bill would cut the lowest state income tax bracket from 5.3% to 2.8%. Draheim said 5.3% is more than the highest bracket in 17 states and cutting the number nearly in half would give working Minnesotans a much-needed break.
In fact, he said it’s important that the tax cut be passed this year because inflation is at its highest point in more than 40 years, and that hurts the working class and retired people the most. Tax relief is a way, he said, to mitigate the situation.
Another part of the bill would completely eliminate the tax on Social Security benefits. Minnesota is one of twelve states that currently taxes that income, and Republicans have tried to, as Draheim put it, bring Minnesota into federal conformity by eliminating the tax several times over the past few years.
He said it could be a great boon to the retired people of the state.
“You know, just think, if you’re on a fixed income, we could save you $100 a month or $150 a month in taxes. That could be huge for someone who is retired and living on a fixed income.”
The Republicans propose to pay for the plan this year by using about $3.5 billion out of what is now an estimated $9.25 billion state budget surplus. They have also proposed using $2.7 billion to replenish the unemployment insurance trust fund, which is currently $1 billion in debt.
The DFL response to the plan was tepid at best, with one Democrat calling it premature and reckless.
Habitat for Humanity and Age Friendly Northfield offer Aging in Place program
Rice County Habitat for Humanity has begun a program, with assistance from Age Friendly Northfield, designed to help seniors stay in their
homes as they get older.
Nancy Just of Age Friendly Northfield said the program, which is called Aging in Place, has been made possible by a $50,000 grant Rice County Habitat received from the State of Minnesota. As they were preparing to put the project together, Habitat Executive Director Dayna Norvold sought input from Age Friendly Northfield. The conversation became so productive, that Norvold joined the Age Friendly Northfield Steering Committee.
Just said Aging in place is a home modification program available to those 62 or older, that focuses on making improvements to the safety, accessibility or energy efficiency of their home. The Baby Boom generation, which is the largest in the country’s history, is aging to the point where, according to Minnesota Compass, 20% of Minnesota’s population will be age 65 or older by 2025. Most of them are homeowners, and most of them would like to stay in their home as they get older but aren’t sure how they will be able to do it.
Just said the program can tackle any sort of issue, from installing grab bars in bathrooms, and handrails for staircases, to widening doorways and building ramps.
Aging in Place, she said, is designed to help with a wide variety of projects. They simply need to get the word out.
“There’s really no project too big or too small. If you have a need for some sort of home improvement or some assistance with those outdoor chores, or the other option would be if you know some people who need assistance. Do you have a neighbor or a friend who you think could use that assistance, you are certainly welcome to pass along the information and get that out to them.”
Applicants should be at least 62 years of age, with a household income of less than $69,200, and should live in the home to be modified full-time. They must also be current on their homeowners’ insurance and on their property taxes.
For more information visit habitatricecounty.org or agefriendlynorthfield.com
City to host open house to discuss redistricting in Ward 1
The City of Northfield will host a Redistricting Open House on Wednesday, from 5:00 to 6:30 at the Northfield City Hall. City staff will give a
short presentation at 6 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to comment on the proposed redistricting maps. Staff will be available to answer questions during the open house.
The Northfield City Council is not proposing any changes in the ward boundaries but is proposing changes to the boundaries of Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 within Ward 1.
The changes are necessary after legislative and congressional districts were redrawn two weeks ago, which is required every ten years based on the results of the National census.
In Minnesota, the state legislature is responsible for redistricting Minnesota’s Congressional districts, Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House and Metropolitan Council districts. Local governments are responsible for redistricting other election districts; city councils are responsible for redistricting city wards.
Members of the public will be able to provide input on the proposed changes through March 9.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
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