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 ...
Even back in the 60s (I grew up in MN and stayed through college at the U) I remember my dad complaining about us being "The Land of 10,000 Taxes."
This is a job killer. I may well decide to move my business to Texas. Doing business in this state is one big PITA anyway.
"The Land of 10,000 Taxes."
Yep, heard that many times too.
close - the L is for Leninist.
Yes, calling the moving company to schedule the one-way trip to Nevada or Arizona is burdensome - but only for a short time. ;)
More taxes on the way in this DEMOCRAT transportation bill:
The Senate tax bill would:
Increase the gasoline tax from 20 cents to 30 cents on July 1 and in just two years, the tax would be tied to inflation.
Impose a half-cent increase on the general sales tax in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties while giving counties outside the seven-county area the option to extend the half-cent sales-tax increase to themselves.
Impose a $20 excise tax on new vehicles in the seven-county metro area.
Remove caps on vehicle registration fees, which are now $189 for the first renewal and $99 for subsequent ones.
Allow counties to increase a wheelage tax on vehicles from $5 to $20.
The bill also authorizes the state to borrow $200 million a year over the next decade for roadwork and to repay it with a gas-tax surcharge.
wow they can really spend the bucks up there can't they?
Skip Arizona....go right to Nevada. It's getting plenty bad. I'm planning my next move.
That's a fair assessment. The exurbs in Minnesota are growing like weeds (or at least they were until the housing market bump recently), and that's heavy GOP territory. Unfortunately, St. Paul and Minneapolis along with Duluth/Iron Range area are so hardcore leftist that it's difficult to say exactly how the state is trending. Pubs got clobbered here in '06, no doubt. Hopefully, '08 will start to bring things more into balance.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"The Great Red North"; "Land of 10,000 Flakes"; on and on...
A lot of millionares will be headed toward the borders.
What incredible journalism, absolutely brilliant.
Posted earlier today. Yawn.
ping
Well then,
since it's for the CHILDREN then nobody can argue with it!
DemocRATS are so full of BS.
Gov't kicking people in the nuts! Minnisotan's taking the nut shot and saying, "Thank you sir, may I have another!" Sad state of affairs.
Sounds like this shameless Democrat class wrfare charade is DOA.
Dems take over a state. They spend like drunken fools. Then raise taxes "for the chillen"! And further decimate the state. Road to ruin.
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