The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

May 6, 2008

Property taxes under fire

Mark Fischenich

Ever-escalating property taxes are a major concern for Minnesotans and need to be addressed. The Minnesota House, Senate and governor agree on that, saying it’s hard to miss people’s frustration.

“I hear from neighbors and folks in the grocery store about how much property taxes are rising,” said Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter.

When it comes to tactics for tackling rising real estate taxes, however, the three sides are far apart and running short on time to find an agreement.

Morrow was one of the 80 House members, mostly Democrats, who approved tax legislation late Monday night that would make major changes in the state’s property tax relief program. The House plan aims relief at people making less than $200,000 whose property taxes equal more than 2 percent of their income.

A month ago, the DFL-dominated Senate passed a tax bill that would pump $115 million into aid programs for cities, counties and townships in the belief the additional state aid will allow local units of government to rely less on property taxes. The Senate also aimed direct property tax relief at senior citizens — freezing property taxes at current levels for seniors earning less than $40,000 if they’ve lived in their homes for 25 years or more.



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