Dear Neighbor,
Today the House passed a bill that brings Minnesota’s tax code in alignment with some provisions of the federal tax code for tax year 2013 with other major provisions effective for tax year 2014. This bill also repeals the sales tax on commercial/industrial repair as well as telecommunications machinery and equipment starting June 30, 2013. The sales tax on warehousing and storage is also repealed on the day following final enactment.
You will hear Democrats call this bill “tax relief” for Minnesotans. Do not be fooled. This bill un-does a few of the devastating mistakes Democrats made last session. This bill doesn’t go far enough and keeps approximately $700 million in government coffers. Absent from this bill are two conformity provisions for tax year 2013:
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Increased Standard Deduction for married joint filers which would have saved 640,000 married couples for an average $112 per return
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Increased Eligible Expense Limit for Dependent Care Credit which would have saved 26,000 working moms and dads on an average of $80 per return.
These dollars don’t belong in a vault in St Paul. This money belongs in the pockets of hardworking Minnesota taxpayers.
Meanwhile, government spending per capita under all funds with Democrats in control is at historic levels. Governor Dayton and Democrats increased spending by the state by $1,486 for every man, woman, and child in Minnesota. What is this new spending going toward? For one – a new $90 million luxurious office building for state senators.
I remain perplexed at the priorities of the Democrat leadership of this legislature. During the 2013 Legislative Session, Democrats managed to impose a $2.1 billion tax increase on hardworking Minnesota families. Yet, Democrats somehow failed to prioritize our elderly, disabled, and vulnerable citizens as well as the people who take care of them. The “5% Campaign” is an initiative that would fund a 5% rate increase for home care providers, long-term care providers and nursing homes that take care of our loved ones. I support this initiative and will vote for it so long as the bill is “clean” – meaning the proposal stands alone.
As, always, I’m interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Peggy.Scott@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4231. You can also send me mail to my office address: 201 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Peggy