| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/25/2009 3:16:04 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Minnesota: Legislative Confusion--Some Clarification |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Minnesota: Legislative Confusion--Some Clarification Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, There are several proposals making their way through the Minnesota legislature, and based on emails we've received, we wanted to clarify some confusion that may exist for some of our members. The Homeschool Mandate Reduction Act (Senate File: 846/House File 1037) would reduce reporting requirements and paperwork for homeschoolers. This bill is supported by MACHE and HSLDA. While the bill would make homeschoolers ineligible for per pupil student aid, we believe that the increased freedom from paperwork and reporting is worth the sacrifice in government funding. HSLDA contends that it is in the best interests of the homeschool community to avoid government programs that have strings attached (like the pupil aid program - See the related story "The Cost of Free Materials at http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/mn/200712190.asp). HSLDA believes that programs like the education tax credit are far more beneficial and do not result in extra entanglement with the government. The Mandate Reduction Act has passed out of the Senate and House Education committees with favorable votes. Some special interest groups, including the county attorneys association, are creating problems for supporters of the bill. MACHE and other supporters are working hard to shepherd this bill through the legislative process in order to retain the maximum benefit for homeschoolers. HSLDA is working closely with MACHE. Last week we made you aware of a proposal by Representatives Lenczewski and Marquart to eliminate all tax credits, including corporate tax credits and health care credits, in favor of three targeted tax credits including a per child tax credit. While a per child tax credit is a fine idea to allow more citizens who are bearing the financial burden of raising children to keep more of their hard-earned money, it should not replace existing tax credits that are used for the education of children. These two legislative proposals are distinct and not related. HSLDA and MACHE do not support the repeal of the education tax credits. We are working with MACHE to coordinate the best response to this legislation to preserve the freedom you enjoy to homeschool without unreasonable government interference. Thank you for your support as we work together to improve the environment for homeschooling in Minnesota! Please continue to pray for those involved in this process, and we will keep you informed. I hope to see many of you at the MACHE conference in St. Paul in a few weeks. Very Truly Yours, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> "I saved my entire membership fee with one discount" "When I called Liberty to find out what kind of discount we could get, they told us we would 10% off our car insurance and 5% off our homeowner's insurance. What we will save is more than double what it costs to join HSLDA. With one child getting his driver's license this year, the savings will be a real blessing!" More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1108 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
