State Representative
Rich Stanek

(ST. PAUL) Fulfilling the most significant promise legislators made during last fall's campaign, members of the Minnesota House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $3 billion tax relief package the night of April 13. "Permanent tax relief was one of the key goals of the legislative session," said State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove). "It's one of the most important things the people of Maple Grove and Plymouth sent me here to do. Now we've done it, and I couldn't be more pleased."

The tax package, which contained $1.7 billion in permanent tax cuts and $1.3 billion in tax rebates, is the largest tax cut in Minnesota history. The historic provision was included as an amendment to a technical spending bill which passed the House 129-1. "Just when it seemed that tax relief was stalled, this opportunity presented itself," said Rep. Stanek. "This is a great victory for all of Minnesota's hard-working taxpayers."

Among the provisions of the House bill are the following:

þ $1.3 billion in sales tax rebates, which includes $70 million in property tax relief to Minnesota farmers; and a provision which will automatically rebate future budget surpluses. þ $1.7 billion in permanent tax cuts, which includes cutting the bottom income tax rate from 6 percent to 5.5 percent; cutting the middle income tax rate from 8 percent to 7 percent; cutting the top income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 8 percent; and eliminating the marriage penalty from the state tax code.

The bill, House File 878, now moves to the State Senate for its consideration. "With strong bipartisan support, we've proven that we can work together to reduce Minnesota's tax burden," said Rep. Stanek. "If House Republicans and DFLers can come together in this way, I see no reason why the DFL Senate or Governor Ventura should keep this legislation from becoming law. I challenge them act quickly on this important bill."

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