ST. PAUL, MN—In response to expressed constituent concerns regarding rising property taxes, State Representative Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, will hold a property tax listening session in Albert Lea on Saturday, January 24 at Prairie Wind Coffee, 211 South Broadway, from 10:00 to 11:30 am.
Also attending will be Minnesota House Property Tax and Local Government Finance Committee Chairman Steve Drazkowski. Representative Bennett said she invited Chair Drazkowski and other House Property Tax Committee members to the listening session so they can hear firsthand how farmers, business owners, and homeowners are being overwhelmed by rising property tax rates in Albert Lea and across her district.
“Rising property taxes are an issue that has a significant impact on the budgets of families and farmers in our community," Bennett said. “This listening session will help us as legislators get a better grasp of the real impacts of rising property taxes, and help members of the Property Tax Committee understand the pressing need to get property taxes under control.”
“Representative Bennett has heard numerous complaints from citizens who are upset that they are once again receiving double-digit property tax increases despite promises from previous legislatures that personal property tax rates would decline,” Drazkowski said. “I’m finding that this is a common complaint across Minnesota, so clearly past legislative actions aren’t working and we need to find new solutions. I look forward to joining Representative Bennett at this event, and most importantly, hearing from her constituents.”
Bennett is strongly encouraging area residents with concerns about the impact of rising property tax rates to attend the event and share their stories and possible suggestions or ideas on ways to address the problem.
Residents interested in attending and sharing their story are encouraged (but not required) to pre-register by calling Grant Erickson, Property Tax Committee Assistant, at 651-296-9710 or emailing grant.erickson@house.mn.
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