House Republicans have unveiled a “North Star Comeback” package of bills that, together, would provide nearly $4 billion in tax relief.
The plan features $1 billion in one-time property tax relief, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, and reduces car tab fees. It also lowers childcare costs and provides hundreds of millions of dollars for education at no cost to taxpayers through scholarshipgranting organizations.
State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, said the package is built around three main components: protecting family budgets, making government work for Minnesotans, and building a world-class economy where businesses can survive and thrive. These proposals, Swedzinski said, reflect what legislators are hearing across the state as families, businesses, and local governments feel the pinch in today’s economy.
“People have suffered enough damage from the reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases enacted when there was oneparty control at the Capitol,” Swedzinski said. “Minnesota has become a more expensive place to live, raise a family, and operate a business, and many Minnesotans are falling further behind financially.”
Swedzinski said many of the proposals in the North Star Comeback are common-sense policies that Minnesotans broadly support. For example, several measures aimed at improving government are included, such as modernizing countyadministered public service IT systems and dedicating additional funding for fraud prevention. The proposal also expands safe schools funding so that, Swedzinski said, every student can learn in a secure environment.
Republicans have made efforts to advance some of the package’s components, only to have House Democrats block them. This includes one bill that would provide a combined $2.05 billion in tax relief for 66,000 Minnesota businesses – at no cost to the state – by conforming to the federal tax code, as well as a Republican proposal to provide $1 billion in property tax relief.
Swedzinski said property tax relief is crucial, especially after unfunded mandates imposed on local governments contributed to increases. He indicated it makes sense to use the current, shortterm $3.7 billion surplus to provide a one-time rebate to Minnesotans – especially seniors on fixed incomes – who are being stretched thin.
A bill (H.F. 4308) Swedzinski authored that would provide Minnesota ratepayers with $3.6 billion in relief on their energy bills over the next 10 years by repealing state mandates that drive up costs paid by consumers also was stopped by House Democrats.
“The House is tied, so we need at least one Democrat to get on board so we can pass these bills and make Minnesota more affordable,” Swedzinski said. “So far, that hasn’t happened.”
