RELEASE: Minnesotans urge Governor Dayton: Sign tax relief bill

College students, veterans, farmers, middle-class families would benefit from tax bill

ST. PAUL, MN—House Republicans were joined by college graduates, veterans, farmers, local school and city officials, Main Street business owners, and middle-class Minnesotans at a press conference Monday to urge Governor Dayton to sign the tax relief bill passed by the legislature last month. Governor Dayton has threatened to veto the bill despite agreement from Republicans to make the two changes requested by the Governor to fix a drafting error and restore a sales tax exemption for the Minnesota State High School League.

"Today we're asking the Governor to do what's best for Minnesotans, and sign the tax relief bill into law," said House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. "It's time for us to set aside the partisan political battles and deliver the tax relief that Minnesotans have been waiting for."

Several Minnesotans shared their stories of how the various provisions in the tax bill would improve their lives including:

•Wayne and Wendell Carrier, twin brothers and Korean War veterans who highlighted the tax relief for veterans included in the tax bill

•Steve Fruechte and Scott Winslow, farmers from Fillmore and Houston Counties who would benefit from agriculture property tax relief

•Nathan Dull, a student at Gustavus College who urged support for a first-in-the-nation tax credit for student loan repayments included in the tax bill

•Ryan Visher, owner of Hope and Faith Floral Shop, and his family who stressed the importance of disaster relief included in the tax bill to aid the businesses impacted by the February fire

•Caledonia Schools Superintendent Ben Barton who highlighted the school building aid credit

•Aitkin County Commissioner Don Niemi who spoke on the importance of increased County Program Aid (CPA) and property tax relief for Main Street businesses

•Dan McGonigle, a father who could benefit from a credit and subtraction for contributions to 529 college savings plan

•Chuck Schulte, a small business owner

The 2016 Omnibus Tax Bill (HF848) passed with broad bipartisan support passing by a vote of 123-10 in the House and 55-12 in the Senate—89 percent support from the entire legislature. If vetoed, it would represent the most bipartisan tax bill vetoed in the past 30 years.

Key provisions include (over the next three years):

•$90.6 million in tax relief for Minnesota farmers.

•$110 million in tax relief for college graduates paying off student loans through a refundable tax credit up to $1,000, the first of its kind in the country.

•$49 million in tax relief for families who contribute to 529 plans to save for their children's college costs.

•$146 million in tax relief for every small business in Minnesota by exempting the first $100,000 of commercial-industrial property.

•$13 million in tax relief for Minnesota veterans by raising the income eligibility threshold, and increasing the total credit from $750 to $1000.

•$150 million in tax relief for working families by expanding the working family tax credit.

•$32 million to reduce the cost of childcare by expanding the childcare tax credit, families could earn a tax credit up to a $960.

•Federal conformity provisions that allow Minnesotans to deduct higher education tuition expenses, mortgage insurance premiums, classroom expenses for teachers, charitable giving (for seniors), and more.

•A substantial increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) and County Program Aid (CPA).

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