Issue Position: Property Taxes
Issue Position
Dear Friend:
Those of you who own property in Olmsted County received your proposed tax statement for 2011 to 2012 in late November. That mailing included a small separate flyer entitled "A message from the Olmsted County Commissioners" that reads as follows:
"You may see an increase in your "County taxes" line on the enclosed proposed tax statement from 2011 to 2012. The County Board DID NOT increase the total amount of property taxes they will be collecting. We will be collecting the same amount in 2012 as we did in 2011. The increase is caused by the 2011 State Legislature's elimination of the Homestead Credit in order to balance the State's budget. "
This is important information-not only about your taxes, but about the upcoming 2012 elections. Both incumbent Republican state senators serving Olmsted County voted for this change. This directly resulted in increased local taxes without raising local revenue. In the legislature's 2011 rush to balance the state budget, money normally sent by the state to local governments to ease the tax burden on residential property was taken away. Each of our Republican state senators voted for this change without even realizing there was a serious economic impact on County taxpayers. This information comes from numerous sources serving the City and County governments who talked to the Senators after the fact.
It is reported that the change saves the state $540 million to balance the budget. However, our Senators were either not at the table or took absolute direction from their party leadership without understanding its impact. It turns out it is you, the property taxpayer, who pays. This proves that we are lacking the effective and honest representation we need.
This is a major reason I am running for state senate in 2012. We need the effective and honest representation I can provide. Talk to your neighbors; participate in the elective process, and add your voice to those working for our best interests. I am Ken Moen and I am asking for your help and support in my campaign for state senate.
Sincerely,
Kenneth R. Moen
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