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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
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REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI CO-AUTHORS AMENDMENT TO ALLOW CITIES TO RAISE MONEY MEASURE PASSES ON 85-48 BIPARTISAN VOTE
Representative Pelowski today co-authored an amendment to permit cities in greater Minnesota to raise local sales taxes to fund projects of importance for their region. The funds would be targeted to constructing specific projects, and any tax increase would need to be approved by the local voters in a referendum. The amendment passed with a wide bipartisan majority on a vote of 85 to 48.
“This is a major victory for local control and fiscal accountability," Rep. Pelowski said. “With this amendment, communities in greater Minnesota can make their own decisions about when to raise money and what to spend it on, without the permission of the state Legislature. Also, since each and every tax increase would require voter approval, only those projects that the public feels are truly important would be funded.”
The amendment allows the citizens of any city our group of cities outside of the metro area with more than 2500 people to vote to raise new funds for capital projects of regional importance. This could include civic centers, trails, flood control, or transportation improvements, among other uses. The revenue would be raised through a sales tax increase of no more than one half of one percent, and would be dedicated to a specific use.
“This is very important for Winona and other regional centers throughout the state of Minnesota,” Rep. Pelowski said. “Other cities in the state already have this ability, and they’ve used it to significantly improve their local facilities and infrastructure. I want to make it a level playing field, and give Winona and other cities the same economic development tools.”
The chief author of the amendment was Rep. John Dorn of Mankato. The measure was an amendment to the House Omnibus Tax Bill, passed by the House today.
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