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State Representative Paul Marquart
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6829
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
REP. MARQUART SETS HIGH BAR FOR PROPERTY TAX DIVISION “Reform is the top priority”
St. Paul, MN – When the State Legislature reconvenes on February 4th, it will not be business as usual for the House Property and Local Sales Tax Division, according to Division Chair Paul Marquart. In fact, Rep. Marquart has outlined some very specific goals for this session – goals that will dictate what bills will receive a hearing, and which ones will not.
For instance, does your bill help solve the state budget deficit? You’re in. Does it increase the state budget? You’re out. From these basic principles, to goals such as lowering property taxes to improving local government accountability, Rep. Marquart is setting a tone of redesign and reform for his division.
“Every year, we meet our constitutional responsibility to balance the state budget, and yet things in our state are not improving," said Marquart. “It’s time to go back to the drawing board, reconsider how we spend and how we govern, and come up with initiatives that will put Minnesota back on the right track.”
According to Marquart, in addition to not increasing the state budget, all bills receiving a hearing before the division in 2010 must meet at least one of the following goals:
• Help solve the state budget deficit;
• Improve local government accountability, value or efficiency to its citizens;
• Improve local government service delivery quality to citizens at the same or reduced costs or maintain service delivery quality to citizens at a reduced cost;
• Lower property taxes for citizens; or
• Redesign a structure or process in local government.
“I believe it is the responsibility of every elected official and every citizen to use whatever voice they have to bring ideas to the table that will improve our state,” said Marquart. “I’ve decided to use my position as Division Chair to provide an avenue for change, and I’m confident we’ll hear many innovative proposals under these new guidelines.”
Rep. Marquart sent these goals to all the members of the House last week. Marquart said he is considering other ideas for redesigning state and local government, as well, including a citizen comment line, with the top ideas advanced as legislation.
“Reform is the highest priority.”
News Items
- Marquart Selected to Chair House Education Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-05-15 00:00:00)
- May 15th deadline to pay property taxes stings Greater Minnesota homeowners, business owners and farmers - (Posted: 2012-05-15 00:00:00)
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