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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative John Benson

417 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9934

For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809

Posted: 2011-03-29 00:00:00
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PRIORITIES: PROTECTING PROPERTY TAXPAYERS

To the editor:

We’re all feeling the pain. Property taxes have risen $3.5 billion — an 86 percent increase — over the last eight years. Middle-class families have felt the squeeze; seniors, and the disabled on fixed incomes have felt the squeeze; and renters have felt the squeeze. In fact, our district pays some of the highest property taxes in the entire state.

With this in mind, the Republican majority in the Minnesota House voted to pass a tax bill that would eliminate the Market Value Homestead Credit, cut the Renter’s Credit, and as a result of these and other cuts, would raise property taxes by an additional $1.3 billion over the next 4 years. I offered an amendment that would increase the maximum refund available to our homeowners — from $1,850 to $3,800 for low-income homeowners and nearly a doubling of the refund available for high-income homeowners. This additional property tax relief would have been offset by closing tax loopholes for corporations that shelter earnings overseas.

Unfortunately, the Republican majority did not support my amendment and it did not pass. I was disappointed — in a time where our economy is struggling and people have already had to deal with skyrocketing property taxes, trying to provide some relief should have been a no-brainer.

On the budget and other issues at the legislature, I’d like your input. You can reach me at (651) 296-9934 or at rep.john.benson@house.mn. You can also send mail to my office, 289 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

Sincerely,

John Benson
State Representative
District 43B

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