PROPERTY TAX REFORM BILL PASSES MINNESOTA HOUSE

05/13/2007

Assistant Majority Leader Tina Liebling issued the following statement in response to passage of the Property Tax Reform Bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives today.

The DFL Property Tax Reform Bill includes $333 million of property tax cuts for Minnesotans in every corner of the state in 2008, with an additional $129 million in homestead credit transition aid in 2009 and 2010. The bill makes our property tax system fairer with a new "Homestead Credit State Refund" based on the homeowner's ability to pay, so that property tax payers whose property taxes are more than 2% of their income will receive a Homestead Credit. The bill also benefits all property taxpayers by cutting school levies by $103 million.

"Many of my constituents have told me their property taxes are too high. With the DFL plan to cut property taxes, we've taken a stand on behalf of my constituents and all middle-class Minnesotans. I hope the Governor will take a stand for them as well."

"A recent study by the Minnesota Department of Revenue shows that Minnesota's middle income tax payers pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the wealthiest earners in our state. The bill we passed today builds fairness into a tax system sorely in need of reform."

"This bill is revenue neutral and gives ongoing tax cuts to those who need it the most - including senior citizens, young families just starting out and small businesses, and it's our best chance to enact real, significant property tax cuts."