Got ideas on property taxes? Bring ‘em on

01/30/2007

Dane Smith
Star Tribune
Last update: January 29, 2007 – 10:11 PM

Now is the time for all aspiring property tax reformers to come to the aid of their state.

A Minnesota House committee chairman announced the creation Monday of a special "Comment Line and Interactive Website" to gather opinions from ordinary citizens about property taxes and what ought to be done about them.

State Rep. Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, said citizens' stories and their suggestions for holding down fast-rising property taxes will be taken seriously by the House Property Tax Relief & Local Sales Tax Committee, of which he is chairman.

The website and toll-free phone numbers will allow voters to bring ideas "straight from the kitchen table to the committee table," Marquart said. An "Idea of the Day," will be posted. A Citizens Property Tax Relief Bill will be crafted based on citizen input, and contributors of comments may be called to the capitol to testify.

Marquart acknowledged that the site might be manipulated by interest groups who mobilize behind a particular idea, but said that his staff will watch for that. As a DFLer, Marquart also allowed that conservative Republican solutions -- such as deep cuts in local government spending or giving property owners more power to force referenda -- might not be prime candidates for "Idea of the Day."

But the committee will consider any and all suggestions, including ideas that have been proposed by Republican minority members.

DFLers already have proposed a combination of increased local government aid to the entities that levy property taxes, and increased refunds to low-income homeowners and renters. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed a formula under which local levy increases would be capped.