STATE OF MINNESOTA 22nd MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND LOCAL SALES TAX DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Marquart, Chair of the Division, Called the meeting to order at 5:01PM on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 in the Champlin City Council Chambers.
Committee Legislative Assistant Paul Cumings noted the roll.
Members of the Division Present:
MARQUART, Paul (Chair)
DITTRICH, Denise
LOEFFLER, Diane
Members of the Division Excused:
BROWN, Robin (Vice-Chair)
ANDERSON, Sarah
DEMMER, Randy
ERHARDT, Ron
LANNING, Morrie
LENCZEWSKI, Ann
MULLERY, Joe
PAYMAR, Michael
Representative Marquart gave an introduction to the hearing and the Property Tax Relief Divisions goals in having the hearings across Minnesota.
Representative Dittrich welcomed the Division to Champlin and welcomed members of the public to the Division Meeting.
Representative Paul Marquart, Chair of the Division, gave an overview of Property Taxes in Minnesota and spoke about the impact of rising property taxes.
Representative Marquart asked for testimony from citizens about the impact of property taxes on residents.
Allan Peterson, County Coordinator for Kanabec County, testified that costs are going up on state mandates while aid is going down. Nick Ruehl, Mayor of the City of Excelsior, testified to the need for property tax relief in his city. Mike Gamache, Mayor of the City of Andover, testified that legislators should not make further cuts to LGA and should fix the LGA formula for some suburbs who were hurt disproportionately. Steve Lampi, Mayor of Brooklyn Park, testified that declining aid is making it hard to provide city services at a consistent price. Jim Meide testified that cuts in LGA and cuts in education funding should mean cuts in services, not an increase in property taxes. Ann Marie McIntire testified on the need to get the 4d low income housing provisions back in the omnibus tax bill. Terry Johnson, County Administrator for Anoka County, concerned about the decrease in federal funding while at the same time the mandates continue to increase putting the burden on property tax payers. Roger Giroux, Superintendent of the Anoka-Hennepin Schools, testified that voter approved referendum levy is based not on need but on the ability to pass a levy. He said that the quality of education in any one district should not based on property taxes or ones ability to pay property tax. Gregory Payer, Councilmember for the City of Champlin, testified about the need for property tax relief while at the same time focusing on growing as a city smartly. John Larson testified that government needs to live within its means.
Jorgette Bistodeve testified that property taxes on lakeshore is being taxed without having the ability to vote for levies.
Representatives Loeffler, Dittrich and Marquart gave closing remarks.
Representative Marquart, Chair of the Division, adjourned the meeting at 5:30 PM.
____________________________________
Representative Paul Marquart, Chair
____________________________________
Paul Cumings, Cmte Legislative Assistant