Minnesota Legislature: Taxes & Finance



Three plans to balance the state budget; will any of them work?

Key lawmakers of both parties debate the merits of the new tax and spending proposals from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the Senate DFL and the House DFL. (Midday, 03/20/2009)

House budget plan increases taxes, cuts spending

Democrats in the Minnesota House have released a proposal to erase the state's projected $4.6 billion deficit with a combination of spending cuts, accounting shifts, tax increases and a big shot of one-time federal stimulus money. (03/19/2009)

DFLers suggest sales tax on Internet sales, music downloads

The chair of the state Senate Taxes Committee says he's looking at a wide range of revenue options to help balance the state budget. Among them are raising income tax rates to 1990 levels, as well as taxing Internet sales and music downloads. (03/18/2009)

Senators respond to Pawlenty's new budget proposal

Using federal stimulus funds, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes a further increase for K-12 schools and restores cuts made to colleges and universities -- but also cuts spending on health care. Two state senators react the the proposal. (Midday, 03/18/2009)

Public offers tax ideas, but are lawmakers listening?

Minnesota Lawmakers have held hearings and set up a web site asking the public for ideas on how to solve the state's budget shortfall. One former legislator says some of those ideas are helpful, but the big decisions are usually dictated by party leaders. (03/17/2009)

Pawlenty uses stimulus money to reverse budget cuts

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's revised budget proposal uses money from the federal stimulus package to restore funding to some programs that were cut in his earlier budget. (03/17/2009)

Pawlenty's budget forecast assumes property tax hikes

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to release his revised budget plan this afternoon to address the state's projected $4.6 billion deficit. While he insists he won't approve a tax increase, the budget forecast assumes that local governments will raise property taxes. (03/17/2009)

New tax plan up for discussion at the Capitol

A new revenue plan is on the table at the State Capitol. The chair of the House Taxes Committee introduced a wide-ranging bill today that would raise some taxes and cut others. (03/16/2009)

Committee approves list of outdoors projects

A citizens' group today approved a list of projects to fund with new sales tax money earmarked for environmental projects. (03/16/2009)

Minn. Senate approves $329M public works bill

The Minnesota Senate voted Monday to put $329 million on the state's credit card to fix up college buildings, renovate St. Paul's Como Zoo and expand the St. Cloud Civic Center. (03/16/2009)

Senate DFLers propose $1 billion in education cuts

Senate DFLers are proposing nearly $1 billion in cuts to public education funding as part of their budget deficit reduction plan. (03/12/2009)

Local officials want more control, fewer orders from the state

With the state facing a $4.6 billion budget deficit, officials say it's inevitable that cities and counties will see some cuts in funding. In exchange, local officials want fewer mandates from the state telling them what they need to do. (03/11/2009)

Unions push back on Pawlenty's call for pay freeze

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly urged public employees at all levels of government to accept a salary freeze as a way to avoid layoffs. But union leaders say that's an unrealistic promise. (03/11/2009)

Minn. bill would remove property tax cap

A key Minnesota Senate panel has voted to undo a property tax relief plan, a cap on local property tax levies, that helped seal last year's budget deal. (03/10/2009)

Tax talk heating up at the state Capitol

A bill introduced today would expand the state sales tax to clothing. And a new report on the state's tax system is expected to add fuel to the idea of raising taxes as part of budget fix. (03/09/2009)

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