Government News

State Representative Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township has announced his candidacy for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives from the newly formed District 16A. Urdahl stated, “We face a very important time in our state’s history. I want to continue to fight for issues that are important to the people of Minnesota. Public safety, rising…

Dawn Gillman, a local small business owner and founder of the “Let Them Play MN” group that fought to reopen youth sports during the pandemic, announced today that she will run for Minnesota House in District 17A which includes Northwest Sibley County, most of McLeod County including the City of Hutchinson, western Wright County, and…

It’s tax season, and Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer Randy Schreifels wants to share some tips with citizens as they prepare for filing income tax returns. As a service to Minnesota residents, vehicle registration tax paid can be viewed online at http://drive.mn.gov. Under the vehicle services link, enter the VIN, plate, or driver’s license number to find…

State Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and residents throughout Minnesota have learned the maps of new legislative districts that will take effect next year. Because shifts in population around the state are not uniform, some districts will shrink, and others will expand. Demuth has represented District 13A during her first two terms in office. She…

Good Food Access Program Grant applications due by March 17, 2022 Funding for equipment that increases availability and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to underserved communities is now available. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Good Food Access Program (GFAP) Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants.…

State Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, is co-authoring a bill (H.F. 2728) to spare local businesses from suffering a tax increase he deemed unnecessary, especially with a $7.7 billion state surplus. On March 15, business owners face a 15% or more payroll tax hike. Urdahl said this is due to record-setting unemployment claims that depleted…

By Brian Rudolph and Rhonda Whitenack, Social Security Public Affairs Specialists, Minnesota and  Northern Wisconsin We’ve made getting your annual Benefit Statement even easier. The Benefit Statement, also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA-1042S, is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the…