But if you still own your home, you still have to pay that property tax. Freeman calls rebates, like those the legislature offered in 1997 and 1998, temporary relief. That's not only complicated by red tape, but more costly to administer. He says that in the last seven years the business share of property taxes has decreased by 15 percent, while residential property taxes have increased by 28 percent. And what we need to do is to make sure that the kind of tax relief we give to businesses on property tax we also give to homeowners.
Freeman pays for the tax cuts by using current and future state surpluses.
He denies that if the economy suffers a downtown, the tax cuts will force the state to cut services or increase taxes again. He says any adjustments will be made in the size of government. But experts warn candidates against getting too comfortable with making promises. Major funding for Minnesota Public Radio's regional Internet activities is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.