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I cannot understand the House majority opposition to the bills, and why the majority is operating with no sense of urgency on these topics. March 15 was the deadline to file business taxes in Minnesota, and Minnesotans’ income tax returns are also coming due.

With a significant state surplus, there is no reason to force our struggling business owners and workers to pay these unexpected tax burdens, and we should be acting quickly in order to give them some peace of mind. The surplus is largely made up from one time revenue, so it makes sense to use it on one time tax relief.

HIGHWAY 55 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS MOVING FORWARD For those of you who use Highway 55 coming in and out of Hastings, know that safety improvements will be arriving near the Flint Hills refinery sooner than expected. MnDOT has announced that design work to construct dedicated turn lanes and other safety enhancements at the intersection of Hwy 55 and Doyle Path is underway now, and construction will begin in 2022, which is a year earlier than anticipated. Over the years there have been numerous safety concerns, along with serious and fatal crashes, at this intersection. This why improvements here are needed.

INCOME TAX FILING NEWS On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service announced that the April 15, 2021 tax deadline for individual tax returns would be extended until May 17, 2021. Worth noting as you begin to prepare your taxes, the State of Minnesota has not yet matched that deadline.

OUT AND ABOUT… This week, the House Capital Investment Committee heard my bill that would provide $500,000 for improvements to the boat launch at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. Commissioner Wayne Johnson and Washington County Parks Director Sandy Breuer testified in favor of the proposal at the hearing.

As this is the odd-numbered year of the legislative biennium, this is not the typical bonding year. But its always good news when the committee believes you have a worthwhile project and wants to hear more about it. Have a good weekend, Tony