It doesn't have to be there. Local government can choose not to take that money and spend it. But history says that they charge what the market will bear. House Republicans say along with tax relief, they'll provide tax reform to prevent county and city governments from capturing all the relief dollars. Taxes Committee Chair Ron Abrams of Minnetonka says one option is to allow taxpayers the opportunity to overturn taxing decisions through referenda.
People ought to get involved more.
Senate DFLers have leaked few details of their tax package. But Senate Taxes Committee Chair Larry Pogemiller of Minneapolis says they've favored property-tax cuts from the beginning. He welcomed the House emphasis on similar cuts. But even as House Republicans give up a traditionally favored mechanism for relief, they say they're far from conceding defeat. Sviggum says the size of the cut is perhaps more important than the type.