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Dettmer Issues Statement on Omnibus Tax Bill

Thursday, April 25, 2013

April 25, 2013

For Immediate Release

FOREST LAKE LAWMAKER ISSUES STATEMENT ON

2013 TAX OMNIBUS BILL

ST. PAUL – State Representative Bob Dettmer (R – Forest Lake) issued the following statement regarding House File 677, the 2013 Omnibus Tax Bill, which passed off the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives last night. The bill installs one of the largest tax increases in state history, paid for with new income taxes on small businesses, tobacco, alcohol, consumer goods, mining, and the elimination of the charitable giving tax deduction:

“In my four terms in the Minnesota legislature, I have never witnessed a bill that raises taxes by so much, so quickly. The spending course our state government is currently on simply cannot be sustained, and will create painful consequences for hardworking taxpayers in our communities. I had hoped this session would be used to grow jobs and balance our budget fairly. Today’s House tax increase bill does the opposite.

A hostile business environment creates high unemployment that results in lower tax revenues, creating high state deficits and cuts in services. High rates of unemployment push more families from the middle-class to the lower-class and into poverty.

While I have worked very hard this session to pass changes to our laws for military veterans, the final bill today leaves out nearly all of these. While collecting nearly $3 billion more in taxes and fees, my Democrat colleagues left out a provision that would have made pensions for veterans tax-exempt. We are one of only a handful of states that still taxes America’s heroes, and I am disappointed.

I will not stop standing up for the people of District 39A and our state’s veterans, especially the lower and middle income earners that will be hit hardest by this historic tax increase. We can do much better for the people of Minnesota through more efficient, effective and responsible government.”

Rep. Bob Dettmer is a fourth-term legislator from Forest Lake and serves on the House Ways & Means, State Government Finance & Veterans Affairs, and Capital Investment Committees.