The Last Time the GOP tried Tax Reform

THE GOP RAISED YOUR PROPERTY TAXES

Before House Republicans propose tax reform, there are questions to answer about the mess they created when they eliminated the Homestead Credit.
Whose idea was it to eliminate the Market Value Homestead Credit? REPUBLICANS
The GOP proposed eliminating the MVHC and did so in their omnibus tax bill that Governor Dayton vetoed. Governor Daytons tax proposal took the opposite approach. He maintained the MVHC and Local Government Aid in order to preventnot increaseproperty taxes.

Will property taxes go up as a result of the MVHC elimination? YES

Anyone with a home valued under $414,000 (around 95% of homeowners) will lose their credit completely and permanently. The average loss is $202.

Did Republicans know that eliminating the MVHC would raise taxes? YES
Republican legislators had non-partisan tax runs that showed their plan would raise property taxes before they voted to eliminate it. In addition, House DFLers repeatedly offered amendments to restore the Homestead Credit and warned Republicans that it would raise property taxes.1

Who is to blame? ACCORDING TO REPUBLICANS, EVERYONE EXCEPT REPUBLICANS

House Republicans have blamed lobbyists for their decision to eliminate the MVHC, another said he was blindsided by the collateral damage. 2, 3

Who is really to blame? REPUBLICANS

House Republicans voted 9 times to eliminate the MVHC, dating back to March 16, 2011. It is hard to believe that Republicans didnt take the time to figure out how their tax bill would impact their constituents. 4

Is anyone defending this property tax increasing plan? REPUBLICAN TAX CHAIRS
Although Republicans have been all over the map in their response to the MVHC elimination, both House Tax Chair Greg Davids and Senate Tax Chair Julianne Ortman have publicly defended its elimination. It was the right thing to do. Rep. Greg Davids
(Key Lawmaker Says Tax Credit Elimination is Right Decision, West Central Tribune, August 24, 2011)

How can we take Republican tax reform seriously? WE CANT.

Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature have a clear record on taxes. They have pushed higher property taxes onto middle class families, seniors, and small businesses while protecting the wealthiest Minnesotans. Why should we expect anything but more of the same?
Rep. Ann Lenczewski Floor Speech (6:28:05-6:31:16) http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/archivesHFS.asp?ls_year=87; 2http://www.minnesotahousegop.com/ blog/2011/11/7/county-lobbyist-changes-tune-on-market-value-exclusion.html; 3Little Falls lawmaker: I was blindsided by tax changes, St. Cloud Times, 11/8/11; 4 Omnibus Tax Bill (HF 42)/Property Tax Report (HF 481)every version eliminated MV Homestead CreditMarquart Amendment in Property Tax Division to restore Homestead Credit, 3/16/11, Property Tax Division, 3/16/1, Marquart Amendment in Taxes to restore Homestead Credit, 3/19/11, Tax Committee, 3/19/1, Ways and Means, 3/23/11, House Passage, 3/28/1, Conference Committee Report Repassage 5/17/11(Return bill to Conference Committee and Repassage). Special Session Tax Bill (HF 20/ SF 8)eliminated the Market Value Homestead Credit, House Passage, 7/19/11
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Produced by the House DFL Media