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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 91-022 RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR CARLSON TO "KEEP THE STAT'ES PROMISE AND GIVE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS BACK THEIR MONEY" Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 103617 BOX: 26 Folder: RES 1991 Document: CC RES 91-022 RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR CARLSON TO "KEEP THE STATES PROMISE AND GIVE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS BACK THEIR MONEY" r • CITY OF ST. ANTHONY RESOLUTION 91-022 A RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR CARLSON TO "KEEP THE STATE'S PROMISE AND GIVE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS BACK THEIR MONEY" WHEREAS, Governor's Arne Carlson's budget proposal calls for cutting more than $600 million in local property tax relief funds from the State Budget; and WHEREAS, the Governor's budget proposal would increase property taxes and these drastic increases in property taxes could be avoided if one-third of the State's 6% Sales Tax were dedicated to provide ongoing property tax relief for property taxpayers; and WHEREAS, a 3% State sales tax was first enacted by the State Legislature in 1967 with the promise to the voters that the money would be returned to them in the form of lower property taxes made possible through property tax relief programs for local property taxpayers; and • WHEREAS, Governor Carlson has now proposed to break that promise by the State and eliminate the Homestead Credit (now called HACA) and Local Government Aid (LGA). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Anthony City Council hereby urges Governor Carlson to keep the State's promise and give property taxpayers back their sales tax money by requesting the Legislature to constitutionally dedicate one-third of the State's sales tax to provide property tax relief for local property taxpayers. Adopted this day of r , 1991. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • Reviewed for administration: City Manager "'' CITY OF SAINT PAUL OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL March 28, 1991 Dear Friend: We are writing to enlist your support and help in- a statewide, grass roots taxpayers' petition effort to preserve local property tax relief programs for cities, counties and townships and their taxpayers. The attached resolution states the unanimous position of the Saint Paul City Council in support of maintaining property tax relief programs by constitutionally dedicating one-third of the state's 6% sales tax to provide such ongoing property tax relief to taxpayers. As you may know, Governor Carlson has proposed elimination of the Homestead Credit (now called the Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid or HACA) , drastic cuts in Local Government Aid (LGA) , and major increases in property taxes on low and moderate value • homes. The combination of the Governor's property tax increase proposals would result in huge property tax increases for most homeowners and businesses around the state, even if local government spending cuts and service reductions are made. In Saint Paul alone, the Governor's proposal would increase property taxes 128% from $874 to $1,992 on an average value $70, 000 home. We are asking you to join with a statewide, grass roots coalition of citizens groups, including the Minnesota Police Chiefs Association, the Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association, the Minnesota Nurses Association, the Minnesota Hospitals Associations, the Minnesota Seniors Federation, the Minnesota Libraries Association, and the Urban League, and work within your organization and network of friends and supporters to gather signatures on the enclosed "Taxpayers' Petition to Governor Carlson". The work must be done fast because the Legislature will make major decisions on the Governor's proposal in April. We would ask that you gather as many signatures as you can by April 15 and return your signed petitions to Gerry Strathman, Council Research Director, 730 City Hall, Saint Paul, MN 55102 (Phone 298-4164) . The proposal called for in the petition would generate approximately $620 million (in 1990 dollars) for on-going property tax relief to local taxpayers. It would keep the promises made by the State of MN in 1967 when the 3% sales tax !, was adopted and the proceeds were promised to-be returned to CITY HALL SEVENTH FLOOR SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 -2- taxpayers for local property tax relief programs, not for new state spending. You can help keep your property taxes from increasing drastically and help avoid possible drastic cuts in important services such as libraries, recreation centers, police and fire protection and a variety of human service programs by getting involved in this "Taxpayers" petition drive. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards, ILLI W ON BOB LONG Council President Councilmember TOM DIMOND PAULA MACCABEE Councilmember Councilmember ROGER GOSWITZ JANICE RETTMAN Councilmember Councilmember BL/j a Enc. Property Taxpayers Petition to Governor Carlson: GIVE US BACK OUR MONEY We the undersigned ask that Governor Carlson keep the State's promise and give us back our sales tax money to hold down property taxes by requesting the State Legislature to constitutionally dedicate one third of the State's 6% sales tax to provide ongoing property tax relief to cities, counties, townships and their taxpayers. Name (please print) Address Phone 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 1 12.