Van Binsbergen: House Republicans Propose Historic Tax Cuts

ST. PAUL – House Republicans have unveiled a package of bills that, together, would provide nearly $4 billion in tax relief – a state record.

Dubbed the “North Star Comeback,” the plan features $1 billion in one-time property tax relief, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, reduces car tab fees and more.

State Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen, R-Montevideo, 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, Van Binsbergen said, reflect what legislators are hearing across the state as families, businesses, and local governments feel the pinch in today’s economy.

“Minnesota has become unaffordable for many families and businesses,” Van Binsbergen said. “They are suffering the consequences of reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases at the Capitol, especially after the former trifecta jacked up state spending by 40 percent with $10 billion in tax increases to boot. It’s time to help people and get our state back on a better path, which is exactly what this package of tax relief does.”

Van Binsbergen said many 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 county-administered public service IT systems and dedicating additional funding for fraud prevention. The proposal also expands safe schools funding so that, Van Binsbergen said, every student can learn in a secure environment.

House Republicans have made efforts to advance bills on tax relief, only to have House Democrats block them. This includes legislation (H.F. 3127) 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.

House Democrats also have blocked $1 billion in property tax relief to Minnesotans at a time when rates are rising across the state. He indicated it makes sense to use the current, short-term $3.7 billion surplus to provide a one-time rebate to Minnesotans, especially seniors on fixed incomes.

“It’s an injustice that our own government is making it unaffordable for some people to stay in their own home,” Van Binsbergen said. “To top it off, the same day House Democrats blocked this property tax relief, they also blocked a bill that would greatly reduce vehicle tab fees. Tab fees are much lower in neighboring states – they’re a flat $85 in Wisconsin – but Minnesotans are suffering sticker shock with some of the highest prices in the nation.

“I’ll continue working to make Minnesota more affordable, whether it’s through provisions in the North Star Comeback or other ways. In a tied House, we need at least one Democrat to get on board, and we can make it happen.”