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State Representative Rod Hamilton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5373
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
REP. HAMILTON OPPOSES HOUSE TAXES PROPOSAL
ST. PAUL – Following a nine hour debate, the Minnesota House approved an Omnibus Taxes Bill by a vote of 80-52. State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) voted against the proposal because it increases property taxes on most of his residents, and because it would eliminate the Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ) program.
“The number one priority in rural Minnesota is job creation and job growth,” Hamilton said. “Eliminating JOBZ only worsens the problem.”
Hamilton said JOBZ is an important tool towards enticing expanding businesses to rural Minnesota. In short, the program offers financial incentives to business owners in exchange for the creation of good-quality, higher paying jobs. Since taking effect in 2004, hundreds of businesses have relocated or expanded in Greater Minnesota, which has resulted in 11,000 new jobs.
Supporters claim the taxes legislation will also provide significant tax relief, although Hamilton said some studies show as many as 70 percent of Minnesotans will face higher property taxes as a result of this bill.
“Small business owners and farmers will join most of our homeowners in feeling the negative impacts of this bill,” Hamilton said. “What most folks don’t realize is that you’ll no longer be able to itemize your property tax deduction on your state income taxes under this plan, and you’ll no longer be able to utilize the property tax refund program as it currently exists.”
Hamilton said if the Senate approves this bill in its current form and it is sent to Governor Pawlenty for his signature, Pawlenty is expected to veto the measure.
News Items
- WITH ECONOMIC TURNAROUND, HAMILTON SAYS IT’S TIME TO PAY BACK SCHOOLS - (Posted: 2012-03-16 00:00:00)
- REP. HAMILTON: LEGISLATURE’S 2012 AGENDA BASED ON INFORMATION FROM STATEWIDE LISTENING SESSIONS - (Posted: 2012-01-30 00:00:00)
- REP. HAMILTON DISCUSSES MINNESOTA HOUSE FINANCE PROPOSALS - (Posted: 2011-04-15 00:00:00)
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