Congressman Paulsen on Taxes and Enhancing Nutrition for Seniors

Information was provided by U.S. Congressman Erik Paulsen (3rd Congressional District)

I spent last week in Washington, but was able to meet with neighbors and small business owners during one-on-one meetings, business tours, a “Congress on Your Corner” and a Telephone Town hall event the week prior. The underlying concern for Minnesotans I spoke with was how important it is to continue to push for pro-growth initiatives to restart our nation’s economic engine in order to get out-of-work Minnesotans off the sidelines and back to work.

This week, I’m happy to report, the House of Representatives took another step forward in helping small businesses expand, grow and hire, with the passage of the Small Businesses Tax Cut Act.  

Here is the latest on that bill as well as an update from our nation’s Capitol. As always, please feel free to contact me if I can assist in anyway. Join the conversation online by visiting my website, Facebook page and Twitter. Also, check out this week’s installment of our Erik’s Correspondence Corner video conversation.

Small Business Tax Cut to Create Jobs

Minnesota is home to more than 116,000 small businesses that employ over 1.2 million people. Over the past 17 years, America’s small businesses have generated 65 percent of net new jobs, and the best way to boost our economy now is by giving those small businesses more opportunity to innovate, grow, and invest in new jobs. This week, the House passed an initiative with bipartisan support that helps small business.

It does not matter if they are a manufacturer, restaurant, service provider, or another type of small job creator, the Small Business Tax Cut would give them a 20% tax deduction and immediately free up funds for them to retain and hire new employees, purchase new equipment, or open a new location. 

After every past economic recession, small businesses have lead the economic recovery – unfortunately we are not seeing that now. This initiative is targeted to help the engine of our economy – small business.

Watch more about the legislation here.

SNAP Reform to Ensure Homebound Seniors Have Access to Grocery Services

On Friday, I had the chance to highlight recent legislation that Representative Betty McCollum and I introduced that ensures Minnesota’s low-income seniors receive the food they need to remain healthy and independent. We held a press conference at the Bloomington CUB Foods and joined the senior delivery non-profit Store To Door as they delivered groceries to seniors in our community.

Our legislation, The Enhancing Nutrition Services to the Elderly and Disabled Act makes sure Minnesota’s homebound seniors don’t go hungry by making it easier for senior citizens who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to utilized non-profit grocery delivery services.

By removing red tape, we can make it easier for homebound seniors to utilize the services of non-profits like Store To Door, which help the nearly 88,000 seniors in Minnesota who live below the poverty line have the opportunity to lead independent, healthy lives. I am encouraged by the bipartisan support our legislation has received, and will continue to work with my colleagues so that these programs remain a viable option for seniors in our community.