Capitol View: October 22, 2010 Archive

PoliGraph: Dayton property tax claims add up

Posted at 12:00 PM on October 22, 2010 by Catharine Richert (4 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor, PoliGraph

Not a gubernatorial debate goes by without some discussion of government aid to cities and schools.

DFL hopeful Mark Dayton raised the issue during a debate at the University of Minnesota on Oct. 15, 2010, saying state aid cuts are forcing property taxes up.

"For every dollar you cut in local government aids or in school aid from the state, property taxes go up by 67 cents," he said. "That's why property taxes in Minnesota under Gov. Pawlenty have gone from $4 billion to $7 billion."

Dayton's correct that the correlation between cuts in government aid and increasing property taxes is strong. However, it's worth pointing out that there are other reasons school and local property taxes are on the rise.

The Evidence

First, Dayton says that property taxes increase by 67 cents for every dollar the state cuts in aid.

Generally speaking, this is true, though it's important to note that this is a rule of thumb employed by the Minnesota Department of Revenue when estimating how cuts in state aid will interfere with tax revenue, not the law of the land. Eric Willette, who directs property tax research at the revenue department, says recent estimates have been on the high end because many cities are choosing not to raise property taxes in light of the ongoing recession.

The same trend is evident when it comes to per pupil school aid. Based on Department of Education data, when accounting for inflation, per pupil funding has declined by about $1,300 since 2003, and property taxes have increased by about $870 - a two-thirds increase in taxes.

Further, Dayton points out property taxes have increased from $4 billion to $7 billion in recent years. This is also true. Since Pawlenty took office in 2003, local and school property taxes have increased by about that much. (State property taxes have increased over the years, but not dramatically.)

Dayton's underlying point, that a rise in property taxes is the direct result of cuts to state aid, is fuzzier.

By all accounts, the cuts are a major contributor. However, there are other factors at play.

In counties, for instance, property taxes have been on the rise because the state has shifted some of the costs associated with taking care of the Medicaid patients and the mentally disabled to counties, says Keith Carlson, executive director of the Minnesota Inter-County Association.

Meanwhile, cities and towns are grappling with higher health care costs, home foreclosures that erode the tax base, and relatively high energy costs meaning it costs more for police and fire departments to fuel their patrol cars and fire trucks.

The Verdict

Generally, Dayton's claims are correct. It's true that for every dollar that's cut in state aid, property taxes tend to increase by about 67 cents. And these cuts have driven increases in property taxes.

That said, it's important to put this trend in context: The recession, foreclosures, and higher gas prices have all contributed to this increase as well.

All in all, Dayton's claim passes the PoliGraph test.

Sources:

The UpTake, Gubernatorial Debate at the University of Minnesota, Oct. 15, 2010

Minnesota Department of Revenue, Price of Government: State and Local Government Revenues are Forecast Through 2013, accessed Oct. 19, 2010

State of Minnesota: Office of the State Auditor, Minnesota City Finances, 2008 Revenues, Expenditures, and Debt, Dec. 31, 2008

Minnesota2020, When It Comes to School Finances, No News is Not Good News, by Jeff Van Wychen, Aug. 23, 2010

Interview, Eric Willette, Property Tax Research Director, Minnesota Department of Revenue, Oct. 19, 2010

Interview, Keith Carlson, Executive Director, Minnesota Inter-County Association, Oct. 19, 2010

Interview, Gary Carlson, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, League of Minnesota Cities Oct. 19, 2010

Interview, Jeff Van Wychen, Minnesota2020, Oct. 20, 2010

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Rasmussen: Dayton has 3 pt edge on Emmer

Posted at 11:21 AM on October 22, 2010 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The latest Rasmussen poll shows Democrat Mark Dayton with a three point lead over Republican Tom Emmer. Support for IP candidate Tom Horner also appears to be dropping.

Dayton received support from 44 percent of those polled. Emmer received support from 41 percent of those poll. IP candidate Tom Horner received 10 percent support.

The poll surveyed 750 likely voters on October 20th. The margin of error is +/-4%.

The poll also found that Gov. Pawlenty's approval/disapproval is locked at 49%.

Fifty percent of those polled approve of the job President Obama is doing. 49% disapprove.

Here's the full poll.

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Ventura backs Horner

Posted at 12:34 PM on October 22, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura told the St. Paul Pioneer Press today that he's backing IP candidate Tom Horner's campaign for governor. Ventura, who is a member of the IP, served as governor from 1999-2003. His victory in the 1998 election completely surprised the world.

"I urge people -- if they truly want change, it's in their power -- shock the world again." Vote Tom Horner in as governor," Ventura told the newspaper.

MPR's Tim Pugmire reports that Horner says Ventura will campaign with him between now and Election Daty.

These candidates are on the hunt!

Posted at 4:00 PM on October 22, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Two of the statewide candidates for political office will be on the hunt for votes this weekend. They'll also be on the hunt for critters.

Democrat Mark Dayton's campaign is headed to Montevideo on Saturday morning to go pheasant hunting with DFL Rep. Collin Peterson. A campaign staffer says Dayton and Peterson have scheduled their hunt a little earlier than usual so Dayton can make it back for President Obama's rally at the University of Minnesota.

Meanwhile..

Republican Secretary of State candidate Dan Severson is going squirrel hunting with Hmong Community leaders at the Wattercot Farm in St. Cloud at 8AM. Update: Severson will hunt with clan leaders Toua Zeng Lo, Leng Pha, Chu Chang and Sia Lo.

Severson will host a lunch after the hunt.

Mondale to campaign with Walz

Posted at 4:18 PM on October 22, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House, Campaign 2010: U.S. MN CD1

Former Vice-President Walter Mondale will campaign with DFL Rep. Tim Walz on Sunday in Rochester. Mondale and Walz are scheduled to attend a rally together at the IBEW Local union hall in Rochester at 3pm. The campaign also says there will be a surprise endorsement at the event.

On the stump...

Posted at 4:32 PM on October 22, 2010 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The candidates for governor will be active on the campaign trail this weekend.

Democrat Mark Dayton will go hunting with DFL Rep. Collin Peterson in Montevideo on Saturday morning. He will then return to the Twin Cities to attend President Obama's rally at the University of Minnesota and will attend a private fundraiser after the event.

On Sunday, Dayton will attend two church services in North Minneapolis with DFL Rep. Bobby Jo Champion.

Republican Tom Emmer will hold several campaign rallies on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, he'll hold a rally with GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann in Woodbury at 11:30, a rally with GOP Rep. John Kline in Burnsville at 1pm, a rally in Chanhassen at 2:30 and a rally with GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnetonka at 4:30.

On Sunday, Emmer will attend a rally with Gov. Pawlenty in St. Louis Park at 2:30.

IP candidate Tom Horner will go to a tailgate before the University of Minnesota football game.

On Sunday, Horner will attend a Latino candidate forum in Minneapolis at 2:30pm.

All three candidate will attend KSTP's live gubernatorial debate at 6pm on Sunday night.

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Rochester debate

Posted at 7:04 PM on October 22, 2010 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

Health care issues took center stage today in Rochester, where the three-major party candidates for governor met for their latest debate.

The hour-long event was sponsored by the Rochester chamber of commerce.

DFL candidate Mark Dayton said if he's elected, he would reverse Gov. Tim Pawlenty's policy and quickly authorize Minnesota's participation in an expanded federal Medicaid program. Pawlenty has blocked efforts to bring in the available federal Medicaid money. Independence Party candidate.

Tom Horner said he too would seek the federal money. But Republican Tom Emmer said he agreed with Pawlenty's decision. Emmer also said he wants to eliminate the health care provider tax that currently pays for the state-subsidized MinnesotaCare coverage.

Here's the debate audio in two parts: Part 1 Listen, Part 2 Listen