Tax bill debate begins

The House began its debate on the omnibus tax bill, which contains federal conformity, tax cuts for military members and allowances for several local tax increases.

But after three hours of debate, the House recessed until 9:30 p.m., when it is expected to resume deliberation.

Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), chairwoman of the House Taxes Committee, explained HF3201, adding that each provision had already been through conference committee with the Senate last year.         

“This is a 246-page bill, it basically is two sets of things: it’s federal conformity, which is why we’re dealing with it right now, to bring our tax code into conformity with federal law and pass on those benefits to Minnesota taxpayers, and then it’s a number of provisions that were in the vetoed omnibus tax bill of 2007,” Lenczweski said.

So far, nearly a dozen amendments offered by Republicans have failed to be adopted.

Rep. Dean Simpson (R-Perham), the committee’s ranking minority member, unsuccessfully offered an amendment to strip the bill of all its contents except federal conformity.

“All indications are that this bill is headed for a veto,” Simpson said.

A companion bill, SF2935, sponsored by Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook), awaits action by the Senate Taxes Committee.