Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
In this Issue:
- Tax Rankings
- Peppin’s MinnTriv
Tax Rankings
Kiplinger.com came out with its annual list of tax friendly states. Our neighbors to the west, North and South Dakota, both ranked among the most tax-friendly while Minnesota was ranked number 2 for least tax-friendly.
Our state’s high income tax for Minnesota earners of all tax brackets helped give us such a low rating, along with high property taxes, sin taxes, and our estate tax.
Minnesotans understand that there is a cost for our high quality of life, and we feel a collective sense of appreciation for the things that make our state great. We are willing to pay more to get more. That does not mean however, that Minnesota needs to be an outlier in our high tax status in multiple tax categories. Unfortunately, we are, and that must change.
When people and businesses leave our state due to high taxes and a higher than necessary cost of living, they take their skills, their volunteer involvement and their future earning potential with them. As a result, we are worse off as a state.
While Minnesota must do much more to become a tax-friendly state, the good news is Republicans are working toward that goal. This session we successfully pushed for a comprehensive $650 million tax relief bill for families, seniors, college graduates, farmers and local businesses.
I will continue to advocate for meaningful tax relief that keeps more money in the hands of hardworking taxpayers and gives people a reason to stay, not flee our state.
Peppin’s MinnTriv
Thank you to everyone who participated in the last Peppin’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: St. Paul illustrator Ray Barton created this iconic Minnesota sports logo. The answer was Minnie and Paul.
Congratulations to James Rouillard from Rogers for having the first correct response.
Here is this week’s question: During a scoring celebration on Monday Night Football this week, the Vikings played this children’s game which Minnesotans call something different than the rest of the nation.
The THIRD respondent with the correct answer will be featured in the next e-mail update!
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In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A