| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| June 29, 2001 | Jon Peterson (651-296-5989) |
(ST. PAUL) By a vote of 117 to 16, the House of Representatives has passed the most historic property tax reform legislation in decades a $900 million package that will mean double-digit tax relief for all classes of property in Minnesota. The bill includes a state takeover of local school costs and a full rebate of the 2001 tax surplus.
"This is a truly historic piece of legislation that will impact every home and cabin owner, every renter, and every small business in Minnesota," said Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove), who voted for the bill. "Not only does this bill provide significant tax relief, but it dramatically improves government accountability. State taxes will now pay for state responsibilities, and local taxes will fund local responsibilities."
Under the bill, average reductions for classes of property taxes include: 24 percent for homes, 25 percent for apartments, 11 percent for cabins, and 10 percent for commercial/industrial property.
Under the tax bill, all of the 2001 surplus will be returned to taxpayers in rebate checks mailed later this summer or fall. The checks will average about $210 for single people and $462 for couples. More than 77 percent of the state surplus for fiscal years 2001-03 is returned to taxpayers under the bill, with $250 million added to the state's reserves in case of a serious economic downturn.
Rep. Stanek serves District 33B in the House of Representatives. He is the chair of the Judiciary Finance Committee and also serves on the Crime Prevention Committee, the Civil Law Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.
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