«		LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE UPDATES		»
ACROSS THE STATES

Standing guard

Minnesota families always have to be on their guard. As Mark Twain once said, "No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session." This year's legislative session has been a whirlwind of activity for homeschool lobbyists and activists.

Much of the action has surrounded Minnesota's educational tax credit. Representative Mindy Greiling, noted for her anti-homeschool positions, introduced a bill that would require every homeschooler who took advantage of the state tax credit to submit to additional regulation. Thanks to phone calls from concerned homeschoolers and the hard work of homeschool lobbyist John Tuma, this bill has not moved since its introduction.

On the other end of the spectrum, Senate File 816 would expand the educational tax credit eligibility standards so that more families could take advantage of what the credit has to offer. HSLDA is working with homeschool leaders to help push this bill through.

When it comes to freedom, however, it isn't only the legislature that poses problems for Minnesotans. School districts often ask for more information than the state's homeschool law requires. Thanks to the quick action of vigilant homeschoolers, HSLDA has been able to stop school districts from demanding test scores, proof of assessment, special needs forms, financial forms, and even district-wide home visits.

Minnesota families can be proud of the freedoms that they have worked to protect. Thanks for all you do, each and every day, to protect each other's rights across the state.