ST. PAUL, MN – A new Star Tribune poll conducted from June 11-13 found “broad popular support” for the DFL budget’s tax plan.
According to the poll, 58 percent of Minnesotans support an income tax increase on the wealthiest Minnesotans, compared to 36 percent opposed.
Rep. David Bly (DFL—Northfield) said the poll results reaffirm public support for tax fairness.
“High income earners have done extremely well coming out of the recession,” said Rep. Bly. “Asking those who can afford to chip in a little more to help improve Minnesota’s economic vitality is a much fairer approach than pushing the cost of the things we need onto the backs of middle class families in the form of higher property taxes and tuition hikes. It reduces income inequality and generates the revenue needed to pay for investments in our future in priorities like education.”
The Star Tribune poll comes on the heels of news from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announcing that Minnesota has one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.
According to DEED, a study by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that Minnesota’s GDP climbed 3.5 percent in 2012, which tied for fifth place in growth among all states. The study also found that Minnesota has one of the country’s lowest unemployment rates, ranking 11th nationally in April at 5.3 percent.
“Minnesota is poised for a bright future,” added Rep. Bly. “Regardless of your political affiliation, the positive economic news is something we can all be proud of.”