By Dan Sparks, State Senator

In January, the legislature worked together to pass a tax conformity bill in time for Minnesotans to take advantage of new tax deductions when filing this spring. That bill was signed by the governor this week, securing about $24 million in tax relief that could help many families in our district.

The bill adopts some tax-code changes the federal government recently passed. Now that Minnesota has complied, Minnesota teachers will be able to claim up to $250 in classroom expenses from 2006 on this year’s tax form. Likewise, many people paying college tuition for themselves or their dependents are eligible for up to a $4,000 deduction that could mean $165 in relief on their tax returns.

Military members and seniors over age 70.5 are just some of the other people affected by the changes. To see if you&8217;re eligible, visit the Department of Revenue Web site

or call the Tax Help Line at (651) 296-3781.

Also this week, the Senate announced a set of early childhood initiatives. This has been a top priority of mine for several years. It&8217;s appalling that at the start of kindergarten, fewer than half of Minnesota&8217;s children are fully equipped with the basic skills they need to be successful in school. Early education is important &8212; a study done by the Federal Reserve Bank shows for every dollar invested in early childhood education, the state receives up to a $12 return through increased graduation rates, lower incarceration rates and a stronger workforce later in life. If Minnesota wants to be on the cutting edge of educational achievement, investment in quality early education is essential.

The Senate bill establishes early childhood allowances for families with young children in the two years prior to entering kindergarten. The allowances will be based on families’ incomes, with higher allowances going to families with the lowest incomes. Parents may use the allowances to pay for school-readiness programs including family child care and child care centers with school readiness components, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Head Start. Through this legislation, we will begin to close the achievement gap and give kids the strong start to learning they deserve.

Finally, I was thrilled to help progress a Renewable Energy Standard this week. Passing its first committee on Thursday, the bill is a good compromise that creates a progressive renewable energy plan for Minnesota while protecting ratepayers and local utilities from huge costs. The standard requires all energy utilities to produce 25 percent of their energy mix from renewable sources by 2025. Xcel Energy, which provides half of the state’s electricity, must produce 25 percent of their energy from wind energy and an additional 5 percent from any renewable source by 2020. As long as we move forward with a responsible standard that doesn&8217;t suffocate our local utility companies or ratepayers, I think achieving a Renewable Energy Standard this year will be a great thing for our renewable energy-rich southern Minnesota.

If you or an organization you belong to is ever in St. Paul, please feel free to visit my office. This week, I was visited by some Grand Meadow FCCL students, Albert Lea residents supporting the proposed smoking ban, local bikers from Austin and Albert Lea, Riverland Community College students, and several Albert Lea officials to discuss the Edgewater Park clean-up project. I always appreciate hearing from people in person about what’s on their mind.

As always, don&8217;t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns: (651) 296-9248; sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn; or Rm. 317 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the state senator for District 27.