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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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DFL PROPOSAL TARGETS UNFAIR PROPERTY TAXES
ST. PAUL State Representative Ryan Winkler (DFL Golden Valley/St. Louis Park) endorses a plan (HF 1222) introduced this week to ease the growing burden of property taxes on middle-class and low-income Minnesotans. Since 2002, property taxes in Minnesota have skyrocketed almost $2.3 billion with most of that falling on middle and low wage earners. This hits senior citizens, young families, and small businesses especially hard. HF 1222 reprioritizes property tax collection by basing property tax payments in part on ability to pay.
"We have a common sense approach to achieving tax fairness in the State of Minnesota," said Rep. Winkler. "The majority of Minnesotans shouldn't be picking up the tab for tax cuts for the few. It's time to take on unfairness in the tax system, and this bill does so without raising taxes."
The bill simplifies the property tax system by phasing out the homestead market value credit, repealing the property tax refund for homeowners, and eliminating the state income tax deduction for property taxes. It replaces all three programs with one simple and fair Homestead Credit State Refund based on income and property value. Without raising taxes, the property tax reform bill will:
§ Target homeowners who need property tax relief the most (seniors, families, etc.);
§ Base property taxes on one's ability to pay;
§ Protect home ownership and stabilize neighborhoods during times of economic hardship and escalating home market values;
§ Provide stable and permanent property tax relief; and
§ Create a fairer, and more progressive tax system in Minnesota.
"You don't have to raise taxes to make the tax system better," said Winkler. "By simplifying the tax system and basing it on ability to pay, we can make the tax system fair for all Minnesotans."
If nothing is done to correct the problem, property taxes are expected to increase by another $559 million in the coming year, bringing the total increase over six years to over $2.7 billion. Much of that burden would fall on middle-class Minnesotans already struggling through an economic slump.
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