MnDOT asks motorists’ help for safer driving around snowplows

ST. PAUL, Minn. – There have been more than 30 crashes this season involving vehicles and snowplows, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use extra caution during plowing and snowing operations. 

“Crashes typically happen because of inattentive drivers, motorists driving too close to the plow or motorists driving too fast for conditions,” said Steve Lund, state maintenance engineer. “Our snowplow drivers are well trained to drive their plows, but motorists should be patient and stay back from the plow. Snowplows travel much slower than the posted speeds because it is most effective for clearing roads.”

Lund said that operators’ ability to see behind them is restricted behind the truck so they must rely on mirrors to see to the rear and side of the truck.

“Their vision is also hampered by the snow clouds they create while plowing. So the safest place you can be is well behind the snowplow and away from the snow cloud it creates,” he said.

Last year in Minnesota, there were 48 crashes involving vehicles and snowplows.

Minnesota law requires motorists to turn on their headlights when it’s snowing or at any other time when weather conditions impair visibility.

Here are some other recommendations for safer driving around snowplows:

• Stay back and stay alive. Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud. Don’t drive into a snow cloud.
• Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. They also may travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
• Turn on your headlights and wear your seat belt.
• Turn off the cruise control.
• Be patient, and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
• Don’t drive distracted.

Motorists should check road conditions at 511mn.org.

Individual income tax filing season opens January 23, 2017

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open state individual income tax filing season on January 23, 2017. For the benefit and convenience of Minnesotans, this is the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

The filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2017, rather than the traditional April 15 date. This is also the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly reminds taxpayers that filing electronically and choosing direct deposit helps improve the accuracy and security of your return.

“Protecting Minnesotan’s refunds and ensuring the right refund amount goes to the right person is our top priority,” said Bauerly. “Minnesotans can help by filing electronically and using direct deposit, which is the most secure and effective way to receive your refund.”

Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure way to get your refund. Last year, over 2 million Minnesota taxpayers used electronic software to file their taxes. Visit the website to learn more about your electronic filing and free filing options for those who qualify.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can include your banking information on your tax return and get your refund deposited into your bank account. Direct deposit is available to you whether you file your return electronically or by mail. Check out the website to learn more about the benefits of choosing direct deposit.

Voter Registration Minnesota law requires that individual income tax return forms and instruction booklets include voter registration forms. This year, taxpayers using Minnesota-certified electronic filing software will see a new message prompting eligible voters to register to vote online at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Fraud Prevention The department takes protecting your personal information and your tax refund very seriously. We work to combat identify theft-related tax fraud by taking the time necessary to review and verify the information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person.

Protecting Minnesotan’s personal information means that refunds may take longer than in prior years because of the increase in attempted refund fraud. Don’t spend your refund until you see the money in your bank account.

Visit the website to learn more about our efforts to protect your information.

Track Your Refund You are able to track where your refund is in the process by using our Where’s My Refund? system.

You will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the processing of your refund. You will see the date your refund was issued when it is finished processing. View the video to learn more about Where’s My Refund?.

Free Tax Help You may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.

Most free tax preparation sites are open Feb. 1 - April 15. Visit our website to find free tax preparation sites near you

Energy Assistance Program for low-income households

SAINT PAUL, MN – With more frigid temperatures here, the Minnesota Department of Commerce wants to remind low-income Minnesotans on how to get help paying their heating bills through the state’s Energy Assistance Program.

“Energy assistance helps pay energy bills so that low-income seniors, veterans and families do not struggle keeping their home heat on during our cold winters,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “Heating your home is a necessity in Minnesota, and we don’t want anyone’s health or safety put at risk because they can’t afford to pay for heat.”

Energy Assistance helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating bills through grant money paid directly to utility companies and heating fuel vendors on behalf of eligible households. The funding also helps some homeowners repair or replace malfunctioning heat systems. Households that include young children, people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors are especially encouraged to apply.

Average annual grant is $500
In October 2016, Minnesota received $101 million in federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for this year’s Energy Assistance Program. Last year Minnesota served nearly 133,000 households with EAP funds, with an average grant of about $500.

Commerce administers the Energy Assistance Program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. The program is federally funded and helps households that earn less than 50 percent of the state’s median annual income ($47,194 for a family of four) obtain funds to help pay their heating bills.

How to apply for Energy Assistance
New applicants have until May 31, 2017 to apply, but funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualifying households must apply for assistance at the local service provider in their area. To find your local service provider, call the Commerce Department toll-free at 800-657-3710 or visit the Energy Assistance Program section of the Commerce Department’s website.

hazardous driving conditions in northwestern Minnesota

BEMIDJI, Minn. – (9:00 p.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises no unnecessary travel in Polk County due to heavy blowing snow, icy conditions and reduced visibility.

The no travel advisory includes Highway 2 from Bagley to East Grand Forks.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation has also posted no travel advisories across most of the state.

MnDOT snowplow operators are doing their part to make highways safe. Motorists should remember to:

·         Turn on your headlights, don’t rely on automatic lights.

·         Drive slowly on bridges, overpasses and tunnels.

·         Use a safe speed for winter driving conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

·         Keep a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front of them.

·         Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, and stay alert.

For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to www.mndot.gov/workzone/winter.html.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.

MyPillow BBB Accreditation Revoked

Burnsville, Minn – January 2, 2017 – Based on a pattern of complaints from consumers, a Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) advertising challenge, and a government action taken by California state agencies, Better Business Bureau’s Board of Directors revoked MyPillow’s BBB Accreditation on December 15. Subsequently, the company’s BBB rating was lowered to an F. 

“Among other issues, BBB has attempted to persuade MyPillow to discontinue their "buy one get one free” (BOGO)/other discount offers without success,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota.  “Continuous BOGO offers, which can then be construed as an item's regular, everyday price, violate not only BBB’s Code of Advertising - which all BBB Accredited Businesses agree to abide by - but also other state and national organizations’ rules.”

BBB’s Code of Advertising is very clear on free, discount or BOGO offers (as is the Federal Trade Commission’s rule): the offers need to be extended for a limited time or it becomes a continuous offer and therefore the normal price of the product – not a sale price or free offer. In the case of MyPillow, anyone can get the BOGO discount codes and if a prospective customer calls the company without one, they can get the BOGO deal, regardless. 

In response to BBB's advertising challenge, which was issued formally in August of 2016, Mike Lindell, the owner of MyPillow, stated he would not be able to stop the company's BOGO offer at this time, but would look at making changes in 2017.  When pressed on what type of changes the company would make, Lindell was non-specific.

Other issues BBB brought to MyPillow’s attention were:

·         “As Seen on TV” claims are sometimes listed on MyPillow boxes where the content is NOT the same as seen on the company’s TV ads. The company has made an effort to remove this, but it can still be seen on third party seller packaging (Walmart, Target, etc.)

·         Photos of MyPillow on some boxes show the premium, gusseted pillow, when the box actually holds their standard pillow. The company has made an effort to correct this, but it can still be seen on some third party seller packaging.

·         Claims of offering a “full warranty” when the warranty was not full (customers need to pay a fee to return the pillow).

·         A pattern of complaints filed against MyPillow has been identified by BBB regarding customers’ understanding of the buy one/get one free offer. A substantial number of the 232 complaints filed against the company regard confusion on the offer.

“We are hopeful that MyPillow will modify their advertising and eliminate discount offers, since the pillows need to be sold at a “regular price” for the majority of the time,” Badgerow said. 

BBB was created on the cornerstone of advertising review and continues to monitor advertising to protect both businesses and consumers. Businesses that advertise unfairly affect other businesses in their industry in a negative way. And consumers need to be able to trust advertising in order to make wise purchasing decisions. 

For more information on BBB’s Code of Advertising, visit bbb.org/code-of-advertising/.