Accessibility menu
State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
NEWS COLUMN
The Truth About Property Taxes Increases – Minnesota Needs Relief
This past Monday at Northfield's "Truth in Taxation" hearing it was revealed that another property tax hike was in store for Northfield citizens in 2008. Many other Minnesotans heard similar unfortunate news at "Truth in Taxation" hearings across the state as well. With reports of a slowing economy, our citizens simply cannot afford year-after-year property tax increases. I want to discuss one of the primary causes of the property tax increases and address what we can do to stop this damaging cycle.
Over the last five years a shift has placed a significantly larger burden of responsibility on local property taxes to fund the things our community value most. This began during the budget crisis in 2003 when the state slashed local property tax relief to make up for a multi-billion dollar deficit. Since then, $1.1 billion in local property tax relief has been cut from the state budget and another $614 million of property taxes have been used to provide additional funding for Minnesota schools. In addition, since the mid-90's, local property tax levies for roads and bridges have doubled, and as a result, property taxes are now the state's single largest funding source for roads.
Those are the main reasons that Minnesota property taxes have increased by $2.2 billion over the past five years and why property taxes are expected to shoot up another $500 million next year.
Cuts into local property tax relief may have helped the state balance their budget over the past few years, but it has made it much harder for most Minnesotans to balance their own budgets. It's time we recognize the direct, negative consequences that years of state cuts to local property tax relief have had on communities across the state. We must look to a new approach to provide necessary funding for quality schools, affordable health care, and safe roads and bridges that reduces the reliance on property taxes.
This year's property tax increases are especially disappointing because we passed a strong property tax relief bill last session that would have cut property taxes substantially. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the legislation. If the bill had become law, it would have restored over $300,000 in local property tax relief for Northfield that was cut in 2003 and as a result, the city levy increase for 2008 would have been significantly less.
Minnesota has a tradition of strong support for schools, health care, and public safety, but to keep relying on local property tax increases to fund these things is not the right way to invest in our economy or future. I plan to work with city leaders, legislators, and members of the community next legislative session so that we can deliver real property tax relief in 2008.
-30-
News Items
- Rep.-elect Bly Selected as Vice Chair of Housing Finance and Policy Committee - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:06PM)
- House Passes Flood Relief for Southern Minnesota in Special Session - (Posted: 2010-10-18 00:00:00)
- Governor signs eminent domain law to protect landowners - (Posted: 2010-05-03 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.