Posted on 03/31/2007 1:36:32 PM PDT by Son House
On a 35-29 vote, the Minnesota Senate gave preliminary approval this morning to a nearly $1 billion income tax increase that would boost taxes
Seven DFL senators, mostly from swing districts, joined Republicans in opposing the bill, saying that the proposed new top tax rate of 9.7 percent was just a little too rich.
“We’re pushing it (tax increases) a little hard this year,” said Sen. John Doll, DFL-Burnsville, who replaced a Republican in last fall’s elections. “I do have lots of folks who would be affected by this and it puts an extra burden on them.”
Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, called the bill an “investment in the future bill,” because it would provide for sizeable increases in funding for K-12, preschool and higher education and property tax relief.
The bill would create a top income tax rate that would kick in at federally adjusted gross incomes of $250,000 for couples and $141,250 for singles. Income below those thresholds would continue to pay the existing three rates for Minnesota income tax.
Acknowledging the bill’s controversial nature — Republicans spoke for nearly two hours against it this morning — Pogemiller said that years of recession and budget cuts had brought the state to a crossroads.
“Will this generation pay the price?” he asked during Senate debate. “Will we do the hard thing? Will we talk to Minnesotans honestly about what the real choices are for our children?”
Republicans have called the bill a job-killer and said it would drive the wealthiest residents out of the state.
House DFLers have a similar income tax proposal pending although their top rate is only 9 percent and is designed to fall mostly on incomes above $1 million.
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty has pledged to veto any income tax increase.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Just like that, say all the right things and Gov. Pawlenty will sign on with Democrats.
ouch
Minnesota is a beautiful state, but thank goodness I don't live there. They seem to have a tax fetish. I'm curious. Has Minnesota been trending Democrat or Republican over last few decades?
Plus add all the new Federal Taxes the liberal Dems in Congress will foist on America and you Minnesotans can notch down the winter thermostats some more....Jimmah Carter style....
I went to grade school, high school and college in Minnesota. I was commissioned a Second Lieutentant in the Air FOrce. I applied for my Vietnam Bonus and DFL run state denied my bonus. That action cause me to declare my liberation and only rarely do I visit that DFL-rotten state. Anyone dumb enough to live their deserves the high taxes in a falling school system.
Don't know about the trends exactly, but
Pawlenty is signing onto their health care plans,
so the future isn't going to be bright for the wage earners.
That's what happens when RATS infest the place. Now the Canadians tourists will stay home because taxes are less in their province.
Why should the people of Minnesotastan complain? They elect Marxist's every election. So, they get what they voted for. Vote for socialism, higher taxes, abortion on demand, and you get it. They are now getting it. I feel absolutely NO sorrow for them. They got what that asked for. So, Minnesota, SHUT THE F UP AND TAKE IT. YOU ASKED FOR IT!!
Thankfully I don't make enough to be affected by this.
Has Minnesota been trending Democrat or Republican over last few decades?
--
Progressive may be a more apt description, many states are..
and not seeing the folly in the entitlement mentality or the leftist agenda and its inevitable costs and results downstream.
I lived in the bluest part of Minneapolis for years, and it was pleasant enough. The property taxes are bruising, but the schools are fine. Good bars, good restaurants, decent nightlife and culture. Not a bad place to live overall.
Though I would agree with your point,
Democrats got elected because they fooled enough
folks about getting US out of Iraq,
not because they ran on their tax increases,
which was predictable for the enlightened,
just more un-enlightened voted.
" Thankfully I don't make enough to be affected by this. "
Loss of oppurtunity = high tax rates,
Alot more will be effected.
And now Democrats got their foot in the door,
and all wage earners beware,
they're coming for more money, sooner rather than later.
I take it that DFL must stand for...Dumb Fin Liberal?
The vote was 35-29, after 7 Democrats voted no, so the legislature sounds like 42-22 Democrats. If the voters are willing to pay a top STATE income tax rate of 9.7%, they must be Democrats. How long would a trend like that take?
The good news for Al Franken is that 9.7% of zero is zero, so his state income tax from Air America will not be affected.
In the long run, it's been trending Republican, but that's relatively speaking.
It was one of the great casualties of 2006.
Investment my arse!
When you vote for DEMONCRATS - this is what they do for you - ROB YOU with a smile on their faces. It'll just line the pockets of the Demoncrats - how STUPID people are - will they EVER learn?
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