Small tax plans may have big impact on health; Fitness, child safety bills being looked at

Published 10:17 am Monday, May 4, 2015

ST. PAUL — Some smaller measures in tax plans on the table in Minnesota’s budget discussion aim to make a big impact on public health and child safety.

They won’t get the attention of business property tax breaks or across-the-board income exemptions causing clashes, but the measures stand a decent chance of happening.

One is a fitness club expense credit. Both the House tax package passed last week and a Senate bill awaiting a vote Monday have language to give tax protection to people whose employers defray part or all of their monthly gym fees — as long as the employee works out several times per month.

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Another would make child car or booster seats that meet certain federal safety standards free from sales taxes. For now, the Senate is alone on that.