After Two Rounds of Voting, Democrat Majority Sneaks Bill Through Floor Vote
(St. Paul, MN) - Today the Minnesota State Senate passed the Tax Bill
(Senate File 552/House File 677). This large bill contains a variety of
tax provisions and raises $1.84 billion in new taxes to close a $627
million state budget deficit. The final vote was 35 in support and 31 in opposition. Senator Gazelka, (R-Cass County) voted in opposition to the bill.
The bill increases sales taxes by expanding the sales tax base to new
items like over-the-counter medications, haircuts, digital downloads,
auto repair services, and sports memorabilia like baseball cards, hats
and jerseys. The largest tax increase is accomplished by raising $1.2
billion in taxes on individuals making over $79,730 and married joint
filers making over $140,960. For these individuals, rates will increase
by 20% -- from 7.85% to 9.4%. This tax plan averages an extra $341 for
every man, woman, and child in Minnesota.
“This Democrat tax
bill is a ‘tax attack’ on everyone who lives in Minnesota or anyone who
steps into Minnesota. Even the reasonable Democrat legislators have
succumbed to the drum beat of big government,” said Senator Gazelka.
“Democrats campaigned on taxing the rich, but every Minnesotan will feel
the effects of this massive tax increase. We could have stayed the
course of focusing on government efficiency and effectiveness. Instead,
we grew government $1.8 billion in new tax increases, increasing
spending over 8% from last biennium, at the expense of the hardworking
tax payers of Minnesota. This is the wrong direction for Minnesota.”
The Senate Democrats’ tax bill failed in its first vote on by the
entire Senate yesterday, but a motion was made on the Senate floor for a
reconsideration of the vote soon after Senate Democrats came out of a
closed door meeting called by the Senate Majority Leader.
State
Senator Paul Gazelka encourages and appreciates constituent input, and
can be reached at 651 - 296 - 4875, by mail at 145 State Office
Building, St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at
sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn.
After Two Rounds of Voting, Democrat Majority Sneaks Bill Through Floor Vote
(St. Paul, MN) - Today the Minnesota State Senate passed the Tax Bill
(Senate File 552/House File 677). This large bill contains a variety of
tax provisions and raises $1.84 billion in new taxes to close a $627
million state budget deficit. The final vote was 35 in support and 31 in opposition. Senator Gazelka, (R-Cass County) voted in opposition to the bill.
The bill increases sales taxes by expanding the sales tax base to new
items like over-the-counter medications, haircuts, digital downloads,
auto repair services, and sports memorabilia like baseball cards, hats
and jerseys. The largest tax increase is accomplished by raising $1.2
billion in taxes on individuals making over $79,730 and married joint
filers making over $140,960. For these individuals, rates will increase
by 20% -- from 7.85% to 9.4%. This tax plan averages an extra $341 for
every man, woman, and child in Minnesota.
“This Democrat tax
bill is a ‘tax attack’ on everyone who lives in Minnesota or anyone who
steps into Minnesota. Even the reasonable Democrat legislators have
succumbed to the drum beat of big government,” said Senator Gazelka.
“Democrats campaigned on taxing the rich, but every Minnesotan will feel
the effects of this massive tax increase. We could have stayed the
course of focusing on government efficiency and effectiveness. Instead,
we grew government $1.8 billion in new tax increases, increasing
spending over 8% from last biennium, at the expense of the hardworking
tax payers of Minnesota. This is the wrong direction for Minnesota.”
The Senate Democrats’ tax bill failed in its first vote on by the
entire Senate yesterday, but a motion was made on the Senate floor for a
reconsideration of the vote soon after Senate Democrats came out of a
closed door meeting called by the Senate Majority Leader.
State
Senator Paul Gazelka encourages and appreciates constituent input, and
can be reached at 651 - 296 - 4875, by mail at 145 State Office
Building, St. Paul, MN 55155, or via email at
sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn.
Comments