Brief
Who receives the Working Family Credit? (TY 2017)
February 28, 2020 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
The full version of this issue brief includes a table with data on the importance of the Working Family Credit to each… Continue reading Who receives the Working Family Credit? (TY 2017)
Brief
The advocate’s fiscal toolbox
February 4, 2020 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Forecasts and economic updates Minnesota Management and Budget prepares economic forecasts of projected state revenues and expenditures in November and… Continue reading The advocate’s fiscal toolbox
Post
Final tax plan boosts tax credits for working Minnesotans, but falls short on future stability
June 24, 2019 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The 2019 tax bill agreed to by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature in the recently completed special legislative session includes both important hits and worrisome misses.
Post
Global budget deal reached Sunday; more work needed to pass final budget
May 21, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
On Sunday evening after weeks of negotiations, legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz announced a global budget deal. This deal… Continue reading Global budget deal reached Sunday; more work needed to pass final budget
Post
All tax plans on the table raise revenues: the difference is how much and who benefits
May 17, 2019 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The negotiations to reach a budget deal this session have at times been characterized as a debate between raising taxes… Continue reading All tax plans on the table raise revenues: the difference is how much and who benefits
Post
Provider tax: Why now is the time to repeal the sunset
May 6, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Minnesota’s health care provider tax raises nearly $680 million annually for affordable health care and investments in healthy communities across… Continue reading Provider tax: Why now is the time to repeal the sunset
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Real people, real communities: Why maintaining the provider tax is so important
May 6, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
It’s hard to avoid news about the health care provider tax if you follow politics in Minnesota. Our state’s provider… Continue reading Real people, real communities: Why maintaining the provider tax is so important
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Walz tax plan expands Working Family Credit, funds investments in schools and communities
April 8, 2019 • Nan Madden
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Narrowly defined, the primary responsibility for policymakers this legislative session is to pass the state’s next two-year budget. But more… Continue reading Walz tax plan expands Working Family Credit, funds investments in schools and communities
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Senate budget targets call for few investments, mostly flat funding
April 4, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The Minnesota Senate’s budget targets, released last week, give a high level picture of their budget outline. The Senate’s “Advancing… Continue reading Senate budget targets call for few investments, mostly flat funding
Post
Provider tax: The proven way to fund affordable health care for Minnesotans
April 3, 2019 • Betsy Hammer
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Minnesota’s provider tax is a proven and time-tested way to ensure Minnesotans have affordable health care. In contrast, the state of Michigan experimented with a few types of health-related taxes, and discovered various problems with these alternative sources – including insufficient revenues and problems with federal regulations.
Brief
Prioritize Minnesota workers and their families by expanding the Working Family Credit
April 1, 2019 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Every day, hard-working Minnesota families struggle to make ends meet, often spending every dollar they earn to pay for the… Continue reading Prioritize Minnesota workers and their families by expanding the Working Family Credit
Post
Governor Walz’s revised budget raises additional revenues, adjusts spending to build shared prosperity
March 28, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Child Care, Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Governor Tim Walz’s revised budget retains the Walz/Flanagan administration’s “One Minnesota” priorities, and augments the surplus by maintaining and raising revenues to invest in health care, education, broader economic opportunity, and transportation.
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House budget targets call for revenue raising, investments in education
March 27, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The Minnesota House’s budget targets, released this week, tell us how lawmakers propose to allocate the state’s projected $1.1 billion… Continue reading House budget targets call for revenue raising, investments in education
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Governor Walz’s FY 2020-21 budget proposal makes important investments to build prosperity in Minnesota
February 19, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
In his release of his FY 2020-21 budget proposal today, Governor Tim Walz outlined his priorities for “One Minnesota” that would raise funds to… Continue reading Governor Walz’s FY 2020-21 budget proposal makes important investments to build prosperity in Minnesota
Post
Investments in healthy people, healthy communities at stake this session with fate of provider tax
January 9, 2019 • Clark Goldenrod
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Funding for affordable health care for one million Minnesotans is at risk in the 2019 Legislative Session because the health care… Continue reading Investments in healthy people, healthy communities at stake this session with fate of provider tax
Post
Minnesota ranks high for tax fairness in 50-state study
October 17, 2018 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) finds that nearly every state fails basic measures of fairness, but Minnesota is among a small number of states where income inequality is reduced by state tax policy.
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2018 Legislative Session: What was accomplished, and what’s left for next year
July 11, 2018 • Nan Madden
Health Care, Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The 2018 Legislative Session opened with some major tasks on policymakers’ to-do lists. By tradition, this was a year when… Continue reading 2018 Legislative Session: What was accomplished, and what’s left for next year
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Legislature’s final tax bill contains same harmful provisions as previously-vetoed bill
May 22, 2018 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
Last week, we evaluated the Legislature’s tax bill and found that it needed improvement. Unfortunately, very little was changed, and… Continue reading Legislature’s final tax bill contains same harmful provisions as previously-vetoed bill
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Supplemental budget proposals on the table, but very different priorities
May 18, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
As we finish up the last week of the state’s legislative session, the Legislature has passed their initial budget and… Continue reading Supplemental budget proposals on the table, but very different priorities
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Legislative tax bill needs improvement; is there enough time left to make the grade?
May 17, 2018 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
I’ll admit it – I was hoping for a relatively quiet 2018 Legislative Session in terms of tax policy. Then… Continue reading Legislative tax bill needs improvement; is there enough time left to make the grade?
Post
House budget targets devote 2/3 of surplus to taxes, transportation
April 27, 2018 • Clark Goldenrod
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The Minnesota House of Representatives’ budget targets tell us how they propose to allocate the state’s projected $329 million surplus for… Continue reading House budget targets devote 2/3 of surplus to taxes, transportation
Brief
Who receives the Working Family Credit? (TY 2015)
March 1, 2018 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Minnesota’s Working Family Tax Credit encourages and supports work, makes the tax system more equitable, and helps working people across… Continue reading Who receives the Working Family Credit? (TY 2015)
Brief
Who receives the Renters’ Credit? (TY 2015)
March 1, 2018 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Like all Minnesotans, Minnesota’s renters want safe, affordable homes for themselves and their families. But some Minnesotans earning low wages… Continue reading Who receives the Renters’ Credit? (TY 2015)
Post
Undocumented immigrants pay $83 million in state taxes, would pay more with immigration reform
March 9, 2017 • Clark Goldenrod
Immigration, Income and Inclusive Economy, Income and Work, Minnesota Taxes
Undocumented immigrants play a vital role in Minnesota’s economy and currently pay an estimated $83 million in state and local… Continue reading Undocumented immigrants pay $83 million in state taxes, would pay more with immigration reform
Brief
Prioritize working families by strengthening the Working Family Credit
January 1, 2017 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Every day, hard-working Minnesota families struggle to make ends meet, often spending every dollar they earn to pay for the… Continue reading Prioritize working families by strengthening the Working Family Credit
Brief
Final FY 2016-17 supplemental budget makes modest changes to expand opportunity, promote equity
November 1, 2016 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
The 2016 Legislative Session seemed ripe for opportunity to invest in a more equitable and prosperous Minnesota. However, policymakers had… Continue reading Final FY 2016-17 supplemental budget makes modest changes to expand opportunity, promote equity
Brief
Proposed ‘small business’ tax cuts miss the mark
March 1, 2016 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes
The 2016 Legislative Session presents an opportunity for investments in our communities and local economies that build the quality workforce… Continue reading Proposed ‘small business’ tax cuts miss the mark
Brief
Minnesota tax system now fairer, but there’s more to do
September 1, 2015 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes
Policy choices matter in ensuring that Minnesota’s tax system is fair and raises enough revenue to fund Minnesota’s schools, roads,… Continue reading Minnesota tax system now fairer, but there’s more to do
Brief
Minnesota should improve the Working Family Credit in 2014
March 1, 2014 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Working Family Credit is Good for Families and Minnesota’s Economy Why We Should Improve the Working Family Credit This… Continue reading Minnesota should improve the Working Family Credit in 2014
Brief
2013 tax bill improves property tax refunds for renters and homeowners
July 1, 2013 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
A high priority in the 2013 Legislative Session was to shrink the growing gap between the share of income that… Continue reading 2013 tax bill improves property tax refunds for renters and homeowners
Brief
‘Fourth tier’ would have little impact on small businesses
April 5, 2013 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes
A new state income tax bracket proposed for the highest-income Minnesotans would not touch most small businesses, since only a… Continue reading ‘Fourth tier’ would have little impact on small businesses
Brief
Tax increases don’t prompt high-income households to move out of state
April 1, 2013 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes
As Minnesotans debate an income tax increase on the highest-income households, they should do so knowing that a large and… Continue reading Tax increases don’t prompt high-income households to move out of state
Brief
The facts still speak: Time to reform Minnesota’s tax system
March 1, 2013 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
Policy choices matter in ensuring that Minnesota’s tax system is both fair and raises enough revenue to fund the state’s… Continue reading The facts still speak: Time to reform Minnesota’s tax system
Brief
The facts speak: It’s time to reform Minnesota’s tax system
January 1, 2013 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Taxes
Policy choices matter in ensuring that Minnesota’s tax system is both fair and raises enough revenue to fund the state’s… Continue reading The facts speak: It’s time to reform Minnesota’s tax system
Brief
Strong Minnesota economy requires sound investments
October 1, 2012 • Nan Madden
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
It’s Time to Get Back to What Works For prosperity to be widespread and Minnesota to compete in the global… Continue reading Strong Minnesota economy requires sound investments
Brief
No further cuts to renters’ property tax refunds made in 2012 Legislative Session
May 1, 2012 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Renters’ Credit refunds a portion of the property taxes that renters pay through their rents. It is an important… Continue reading No further cuts to renters’ property tax refunds made in 2012 Legislative Session
Brief
’98 Percent’ constitutional amendment creates barriers to common-sense budgeting
April 1, 2012 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
A constitutional amendment proposed in the Minnesota Legislature would place strict limits on the ability of lawmakers to craft a… Continue reading ’98 Percent’ constitutional amendment creates barriers to common-sense budgeting
Brief
2012 House tax bill would severely cut renters’ property tax refunds
April 1, 2012 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Renters’ Credit refunds a portion of the property taxes that renters pay through their rents. This year, 315,000 low-… Continue reading 2012 House tax bill would severely cut renters’ property tax refunds
Brief
Supermajority amendment would create pressure to increase property taxes
February 1, 2012 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes
One of the most serious likely consequences of Minnesota adopting a constitutional supermajority amendment would be shifting the costs for… Continue reading Supermajority amendment would create pressure to increase property taxes
Brief
2010 Renters’ Credit cuts felt across Minnesota
February 1, 2012 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Renters’ Credit, formally called the Property Tax Refund or PTR, is a state property tax refund for low- and… Continue reading 2010 Renters’ Credit cuts felt across Minnesota
Brief
Renters’ Credit maintained in 2011, cut in 2012
August 1, 2011 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Renters’ Credit provides a property tax refund for more than 300,000 low- and moderate-income Minnesota households, more than one-quarter… Continue reading Renters’ Credit maintained in 2011, cut in 2012
Brief
2011 budget decisions will undermine current recovery and hurt state’s long-term economic success
August 1, 2011 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Budget Cuts Will Undermine Minnesota’s Recovery From the Recession After a long legislative session, a nearly three-week state government shutdown… Continue reading 2011 budget decisions will undermine current recovery and hurt state’s long-term economic success
Brief
A tale of two visions: Comparing Governor Dayton’s and the Legislature’s FY 2012-13 budgets
June 1, 2011 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Governor Dayton’s Budget Presents Balanced Approach, Legislature Focuses on Cuts The challenge before Minnesota policymakers is to shore up the… Continue reading A tale of two visions: Comparing Governor Dayton’s and the Legislature’s FY 2012-13 budgets
Brief
Revenue-raising options to help close Minnesota’s FY 2012-13 budget deficit
May 1, 2011 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Minnesota faces a long, slow economic recovery, large state deficits and some very tough choices. Taking a balanced approach, including… Continue reading Revenue-raising options to help close Minnesota’s FY 2012-13 budget deficit
Brief
Constitutional revenue limits damaged Colorado’s business climate, quality of life
May 1, 2011 • Christina Wessel
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Colorado provides a clear example of how strict constitutional revenue limits fail to improve a state’s business climate and quality… Continue reading Constitutional revenue limits damaged Colorado’s business climate, quality of life
Brief
Governor Dayton presents a balanced approach to the state’s FY 2012-13 deficit
April 1, 2011 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Governor Dayton’s Budget Relies on Revenue Increases and Spending Cuts On February 15, Governor Dayton released his proposal for resolving… Continue reading Governor Dayton presents a balanced approach to the state’s FY 2012-13 deficit
Brief
2010 cuts to the Renters’ Credit hurt those already hurt by tough economy
September 1, 2010 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
The Renters’ Credit provides a property tax refund for over 300,000 low- and moderate-income Minnesota households, more than one-quarter of… Continue reading 2010 cuts to the Renters’ Credit hurt those already hurt by tough economy
Brief
Few small business owners would be impacted by the 2010 Legislature’s income tax increase on high-income households
September 1, 2010 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
No business or individual alone can provide for an educated workforce or safe roads and bridges. Taxes pay for these… Continue reading Few small business owners would be impacted by the 2010 Legislature’s income tax increase on high-income households
Brief
2010 Legislative Session closes with many opportunities lost
June 1, 2010 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes, Tax Credits for Minnesotans and Families
Uncertainty, Conflict Fill Last Days of 2010 Session Minnesota policymakers faced challenges during the 2010 Legislative Session, including a $1… Continue reading 2010 Legislative Session closes with many opportunities lost
Brief
Revenue-raising options to help close Minnesota’s budget deficits in FY 2011-13
April 1, 2010 • Minnesota Budget Project
Minnesota Budget, Minnesota Taxes
Minnesota Needs a Balanced Approach to Solving Deficits Minnesota faces a weak economy, daunting state deficits and some very tough… Continue reading Revenue-raising options to help close Minnesota’s budget deficits in FY 2011-13