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Dear neighbors,

I hope everyone is enjoying the nice spring weather! We?re still hard at work at the State Capitol as we vote on policy bills on the House Floor aimed at improving the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans.

Here?s the latest from Saint Paul:

Tax Season Reminder

Tax Day is this Monday, April 15! As a reminder, if you?re a renter, don't forget to claim your property tax refund! This is the first year renters will be able to receive this credit with their tax filing rather than later in the year. Along with making it simpler and more convenient, we also expanded the credit to many Minnesotans who didn?t qualify previously.

I also want to remind you that nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit! 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.

Funding Habitats Across Minnesota

This week, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) issued its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Approximately $150 million will be available for both metro and statewide grants to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, protection and enhancement.

This is a great opportunity for investment in the habitats that exist in our own community!?

Requests are due to the LSOHC on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 4 p.m., with funds for approved programs signed into law during the 2025 legislative session being available on Monday, July 1, 2025.

Since the Outdoor Heritage Fund?s creation in 2008, $1.6 billion in on-the-ground habitat programs have been allocated by the Minnesota Legislature and over 1.4 million acres of Minnesota forests, prairies and wetlands have been restored, protected or enhanced. The latest set of funding recommendations totaling $180 million is currently before the Minnesota Legislature.

Proposal requirements and terms of funding are outlined in the Call for Funding Request. To view details or learn more, visit: www.lsohc.mn.gov. For answers to specific questions, contact LSOHC Staff: www.lsohc.mn.gov/staff. If you have a potential project proposal but are unsure, LSOHC are there to help!

Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans Vacancies

As another reminder, the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) has a number of vacancies they?re looking to fill and are searching for prospective appointees. The positions available include:

• Asian Indian Ancestry Group Representative
• Hmong Ancestry Group Representative
• Member #4
• Vietnamese Ancestry Group Representative

If you think you or someone you know would be a good fit for any of these positions, please don?t hesitate to apply! Interested folks should follow this link, select the seat they are interested in, create a profile, and provide an up-to-date resume.?

Additionally, there are plenty of other opportunities to contribute your expertise to state government by serving on a state board or commission. You can take a look at all the opportunities here.

Thank you again for your help in filling these vacancies!

Environmental Funding Survey

Did you know that a portion of Minnesota?s lottery proceeds go towards protecting our environment and natural resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund? Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided approximately $700 million to over 1,700 projects around the state.

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is now gathering input about the future of Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund spending and taking feedback about what environmental issues are most important to you. Make your voice heard about how to improve Minnesota's environment & natural resources.

Take the survey here.

Question of the Week

Listening to my constituents is the most important part of my job as state representative! Each week during this legislative session, I?ll pose a question to you to better inform my work.

This week?s question is:

What issues would you like to see prioritized at the state legislature?

You can send your answers in an email to [email protected] with the subject line ?Question of the Week.? I?m looking forward to reading your responses and learning from your experiences. And thank you to all of you who have responded in past weeks!

Stay in Touch

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or feedback you?d like to share. You can contact me by email at [email protected] or call (651) 296-4128. Please don?t hesitate to reach out.??

Sincerely,??

Liz Reyer??

State Representative