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Governor Vetoes Property Tax Relief <br />for Minnesota Homeowners <br />On the first day of the 2007 <br />session, Senate Democrats <br />introduced the Property Tax <br />Relief Act to respond to the <br />thousands of voters who asked <br />us to address this issue during <br />the November election. The <br />Senate spent the session focused <br />on property taxes, passing four <br />separate tax bills that provided <br />some level of relief for Minne- <br />sota homeowners. <br />After much negotiating, a strong, <br />bipartisan compromise was <br />reached. Senate Democrats and <br />Republicans praised the reason- <br />able bill because it delivered <br />property tax relief without rais- <br />ing other taxes. Unfortunately, <br />Governor Pawlenty vetoed the <br />3,5500 <br />3.000 <br />2.500 <br />c 2,000 <br />0 <br />.2 1,500 <br />1,000 <br />500 <br />0 <br />entire bill and rejected any hopes <br />for desperately needed relief <br />from skyrocketing property <br />taxes. <br />disturbing trend of relying on <br />property tax payers to fund local <br />services: <br />From 2002 -2006, property <br />Besides tax relief, the bill also taxes on homes in Minne- <br />included relief for the fire -dam- sota increased an average of <br />aged Gunflint Trail area, a 100% 12.3% per year. (non -parti- <br />increase in the military combat san Department of Revenue <br />tax credit for veterans, a tax "Recent Trends in Property <br />credit for dairy farmers and be- Taxes" presentation). <br />ginning farmers, and a provision Because the Governor reject - <br />that closes tax loopholes that ed the legislature's solution <br />allow corporations to skip out to this problem, homeowner <br />on their fair share of Minnesota property taxes are projected <br />taxes. to increase 8.2% next year, <br />Property tax relief will remain a or about $600 million state - <br />top priority when the legislature wide. (non - partisan House <br />reconvenes in 2008. Legisla- Research). <br />tive action is needed to stop the <br />Total Net Tax on Homestead Properly <br />From 2002 -2006, property taxes on residential homes in <br />Minnesota increased an average of 12.3% per year." <br />2002 <br />a. J. a, .. s c,.... 0., •.sxr <br />2003 <br />2004 2000 <br />Taxes Payable Year <br />2000 <br />2007 <br />State Senator Sandy Rummel <br />323 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155 - (651) 296 -1253 <br />sen.sandy.rummel @senate.mn <br />