MN Tax Incidence Study

Minnesota is one of a handful of states to produce a biennial tax incidence study. Instituted two decades ago by then Tax Chair Rep. Paul Ogren, the report provides ongoing information about who in Minnesota is paying taxes.

Find and review this year's report at the Minnesota Department of Revenue under "Research Reports" and you will see that Minnesota's tax code is growing more regressive- and thus less fair.

The Week Ahead

For those following the legislature from home, I thought it might be helpful to share what we will be doing in the week ahead. The legislature calendar is predictable, guided by deadlines and rules. The deadlines help us to focus and narrow our work.

This Friday is the first policy deadline. A bill needs to be heard in the relevant policy committees in either the House or Senate by this Friday. If a bill has not met the deadline, it will not progress this session.

Because of the deadline, policy committees are meeting for extended hours this week and last.

We are now hearing bills that will serve as the foundation for the House budget proposal. Check out the House website at www.house.mn to see the schedule for the day. And check back here for a weekly post about the week ahead.

The Staight Scoop

On Tuesday March 3rd, the February forecast was released. Rather than spin the numbers, I invite you to review the forecast at www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc.fu/09/complete-feb09.pdf

The forecast captures what Minnesotans are experiencing and I suspect that you will not be surprised by what you read. As you already know, we are facing a fierce challenge- one that requires an extraordinary response which begins with a clear understanding the problem we are facing.

Town Hall Meetings

I am inspired by the more than seven thousand Minnesotans who attended one of Town Hall meetings held across the state in the past couple of weeks. Members of the House and Senate, republicans and democrats together attended the meetings.

Minnesotans shared a litany of perspectives and concerns about the budget and cuts. Across the state, Minnesotans asked us to be fair as we balance the budget. They asked that we not target one part of the budget over others. There was a predictably wide divide between those opposed to new taxes and those asking for new revenue solve some of the deficit.

Thanks to everyone who attended, testified or sent testimony to me. Thanks also to the excellent work by the House and Senate staff who organized all of the logistics.

The Work Ahead

With the forecast complete, committees will begin to process the bills that will serve as the foundation for the House budget proposal. On Friday we recieved the 380 page bill which represents the Governor's 'Version One' (pre-federal stimulus) budget proposal for Health and Human Services. Though we have had proposed budget pages, we cannot begin to act on proposals till they are in bill form, ready for hearing.