8. SR 04-25-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- A I I i• What others say about the property tax freeze The reaction by Minnesota cities to the Senate DFL proposal to freeze property taxes in 1996 is predictable. Cities from across the state have attested to the fact that a freeze would handcuff their ability to pay off debt, meet contract requirements, and mast importantly, maintain the high level of services that city residents have come to expect. But don't take our word for it, here's what other have to say about a property tax freeze. "Property taxes are only one aspect of a lazger problem, however. Major reform of the entire funding relationships between the state and local govemments, including schools, is desperately needed. The freeze scheme of Senate DFLers seems more motivated by 1996 election politics than interest in reform. They're banking on a freeze being populaz with voters-and paying election dividends." Sr. Cloud Times Tuesday, April 11, 1995 "Despite all the talk about reform of the property tax system, the Senate DFL proposal contains none. It does the opposite by freezing the system next year and then causing an even larger crisis the year after." Department of Revenue memo March 13, 1996 "...by Election Day 1996, local governments may be reeling from the forced spending diet the freeze would impose. They may have been forced to chop populaz services, such as youth recreation programs, to keep up with uncontrollable escalating expenses for, say, criminal justice." Star Tribune Apri19, 1995 "...state officials don't collect or spend property taxes and how much is raised by the tax is none of their business. It's logical for the state to make basic reforms of the tax, not to restrict its use. Minnesota voters aze smart enough to let local officials know when property taxes are too high. They don't need folks in St. Paul deciding in early 1995 how much officials in Grand Mazais can spend in 1996." Duluth News Tribune April 3, 1995 "The State Legislature has taken bold steps to control state spending. These spend-thrift heroes will make sure local government units no longer take advantage of their taxpayers by doing such horrible things as building new roads, hiring police officers to control the growing crime rate made possible by a state judicial system, building fire stations at the rate of one every two decades, plowing roads to keep local traffic moving in the winter, etc. Yes, the dollazs will be saved for things people really want, like finely famished and fully remodeled chambers at the State Capitol, long distance phone service for legislative members, and welfare programs that earn Minnesota the title of `progressive."' Prior Lake American Apri18, 1995 y "...This looked too much like past DFL efforts to temporarily `buy down' their constituents' property taxes while satisfying the salary demands of teachers -- always a tempting combination in an election year, as 1996 will be for all 201 lawmakers.... ...For the last two decades, state lawmakers have been lost on fiscal issues, despite countless studies and reports that have offered guidance." Steven Domfeld St. Pau! Pioneer Press editorial April 3, 1995 April 14, 1995 Page 3