Accessibility menu
State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact:
GUEST COLUMN
Electronic pull tabs arriving; tax revenue update
By Rep. Paul Anderson
There is some confusion pertaining to how the change-over to electronic pull tabs will affect the charitable gaming industry in Minnesota. Nothing will change in terms of who operates the games played in local bars and restaurants, and the state will NOT be in competition with those local charities. Paper pull tabs will continue being an option for those who prefer to utilize them. The electronic version, due out later this year, will provide an additional method of playing the same types of games.
I visited with a compliance officer from the Gambling Control Board and was told that, in order for a charity to utilize the new electronic games, they must continue offering the paper version. In addition, two changes in how state taxes are figured should help the charities. A new tax rate will go into effect that should result in an approximate 8-percent reduction, according to the Department of Revenue. And on July 1, a new method of calculating that tax went into effect that bases the tax on net receipts after games are played instead of making charities pay the tax upfront before the games are played.
These changes should help local charities in terms of cash flow and making tax payments to the state.
Figures released by Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) show that revenue coming into the state in July was 1.2 percent below forecast. General fund revenues in July totaled $921 million, nearly $11 million less than forecast. Income and sales tax revenues were less than expected for the month, while corporate income taxes were above expectation.
However, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, revenue for the past 12 months exceeded the February forecast by over $336 million.
With a special session tentatively set for next week, the Dayton Administration has come up with a figure of $189 million to help finance the repair of infrastructure damaged by flooding earlier this year in northeastern and southeastern Minnesota. That amount is over and above the $108 million already figured by FEMA. Whatever the amount allocated by the Legislature, it’s expected to be funded by taking part of it from the reserve fund with the remainder financed by bonding.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture has identified approximately 300 farms that suffered considerable damage from the heavy rain of up to nine inches in one storm back in June.
Temps dropping into the lower 40’s one night last week in southern Minnesota have raised the possibility of an early frost. Even though most crops are a couple of weeks ahead of normal development, a freeze in August would be very damaging. After our hot and humid July, the month of August is behaving more like September with comfortable daytime temps and downright cool evenings. I’ve heard reports of silage harvest getting underway and the pre-lift of sugar beets also starting this week. It seems early, but these cool nights remind one that football season and other fall sports are right around the corner.
Just one parade left on our summer schedule, and it’s a special one. The city of Sedan is celebrating this week, with the occasion marking the 125-year anniversary of the town. The parade, back after a three-year absence, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Also on tap that day is their popular tug-of-war contest.
-30-
News Items
- Still no budget as session winds down - (Posted: May 10 2013 12:00AM)
- MUCH WORK REMAINS IN SESSION’S WANING WEEKS - (Posted: May 6 2013 12:00AM)
- Results of online survey are telling - (Posted: May 3 2013 12:00AM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.