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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL)

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New Poll Finds "Broad Popular Support" for DFL Tax Plan

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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. Nearly 75 percent of Hennepin and Ramsey County residents support the plan.

Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL—Minneapolis) said the poll results reaffirm public support for tax fairness.

“It’s something we campaigned on and it’s something voters told us they wanted to see happen during the 2013 Session,” said Rep. Dehn. “More importantly, our tax plan allows us to pay for investments in priorities like our children’s education. For example, our budget offers free all-day Kindergarten for every child and provides early learning scholarships to help over 8,000 low-income families send their kids to preschool. Those sorts of investments are designed to close the achievement gap and help every child reach his or her full potential. It’s a big reason why our tax plan is so popular.”

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.

“While our economy overall is heading in the right direction, there are far too many Minnesotans who cannot find a job to support their families, particularly among our communities of color,” said Rep. Dehn. “Minneapolis is home to one of the worst racial jobs gaps in the country. It’s simply unacceptable.”

“Thankfully, we took serious steps during the 2013 Legislative Session to close that gap,” added Rep. Dehn. “For example, we passed a law known as ‘Ban the Box’ that keeps most private employers from asking on job applications whether the individual has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. That’s going to help make sure every Minnesotan is evaluated based on their skills and qualifications, not simply on their past. We also made significant investments in proven tools like low-interest business loans and job training programs.”

Rep. Dehn encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, or other feedback. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-8659, by email at rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn, or by postal mail at 423 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.

Constituents can also connect with Rep. Dehn on Twitter at @RaymondDehn or on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepRaymondDehn.