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State Representative John Benson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9934
For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809
Column/LTE
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WILL NEED REAL COMPROMISE
To the Editor,
Legislators on both political sides of the aisle have recognized that in order to provide the things that Minnesotans expect from their state government - good schools, better roads and transit, access to health care and property tax relief – hard choices have to be made.
The House Tax Bill that came before us last week, and I agreed with many of the provisions, including the use of improved tax compliance, and the requirement that foreign operating corporations pay their fair share. Those provisions have broad support and are good first steps toward tax fairness.
I continue my strong commitment to property tax relief, and have demonstrated that commitment in votes for targeted relief through levy buybacks and equalization aid in the House Education Finance Bill, and in my vote for the House Transportation Finance Bill, that provides property tax relief by financing road construction projects that local governments have had to finance on the backs of homeowners and local businesses because of deficient state funding.
I believe strongly in the need for real property tax relief and a return to tax fairness. But when I came to the Legislature, I pledged to work in a bi-partisan fashion to build consensus. On an issue as important as state tax policy, I believe we need to craft measures that keep the lines of communication open with both sides of the legislative aisle and with the Governor. After careful thought, I came to the conclusion this bill did not do that, nor did it have a reasonable chance of withstanding the threat of a gubernatorial veto, and so I voted against it.
I will continue working to find agreement with all of my colleagues at the legislature to craft a compromise that delivers meaningful and sustainable property tax relief that all sides can support. However, I believe the Governor must do his part to find common ground. His property tax relief proposal does little to restrain property tax increases expected to grow by $500 million this year if nothing is done. The Governor has the right to use his veto power, but he also has an equal responsibility to propose real solutions that can win bi-partisan support.
Sincerely,
John Benson
State Representative, District 43B
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