DEMOCRATS PUSH MORE TAX HIKES DESPITE RECORD SURPLUS

Gov. Walz pushing small biz. tax hike & Senate Dems kill tax relief for seniors – despite campaign promises otherwise

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Despite Minnesota’s projected massive budget surplus of more than $17 billion, Gov. Tim Walz and Democrats in the legislature are once again killing legislation to cut taxes and proposing more tax hikes of their own.

Just yesterday, Gov. Tim Walz called for a payroll tax increase on small businesses. This morning, Senate Democrats killed a bill to eliminate the taxation of Social Security benefits, and passed an amendment that increases payroll taxes on small businesses even more than they had already proposed just to keep pace with Gov. Walz’s proposed tax hikes.

Several Democrats have already broken promises to end the taxation of social security benefits – Sens. Hauschild, Gustafson, Kupec, Putnam and Seeberger all voted to maintain the tax after previously calling to end it.

“Despite a record-breaking surplus of more than $17.6 billion, and Minnesota being one of the highest-taxed states in the U.S., Gov. Tim Walz and the Democrats wasted no time racing to see who could raise taxes the most. The Democrats even killed a bill that would have given much-needed tax relief to seniors by ending the tax on Social Security benefits. Clearly, Gov. Walz and the Democrats will stop at nothing to take more money from Minnesota’s hardworking taxpayers any way they can.” – Republican Party of Minnesota Executive Director Mike Lonergan

Background

Minnesota is currently projected to have a budget surplus of more than $17 billion

“Minnesota will have a record-breaking $17.6 billion budget surplus in the next two years…” (Caroline Cummings & WCCO Staff, Minnesota officials forecast a $17.6 billion budget surplus, WCCO CBS 4 TV, 12/6/22)

Under Democrats, Minnesota is one of the highest-taxed states in the U.S.

“Minnesota ranks among states with the highest income tax, a new report from the Tax Foundation shows.” (Cooper Moran, Minnesota Ranks Among States with Highest Income Tax, New Report Shows, Minnesota Sun, 3/16/2022)

Today, Senate Democrats killed a bill to eliminate the taxing of social security benefits.

“In a procedural vote, the Senate blocks a GOP amendment that would eliminate tax on benefits.” (Theo Keith, Twitter, KMSP FOX 9 TV, 1/10/2023)

Gov. Walz recently proposed a massive payroll tax increase on small businesses.

“A payroll tax hike would fund the program in future years.” (Theo Keith, Twitter, KMSP FOX 9 TV, 1/11/2023)

Senate Democrats upped their proposed small business tax increase to keep pace with Walz’s proposed tax hikes

“Via amendment today, #mnleg Senate Democrats will up the payroll tax hike in their paid family and medical leave bill…” (Theo Keith, Twitter, KMSP FOX 9 TV, 1/11/2023)

Several Democrats have already broken promises to end the taxation of social security benefits – Sens. Hauschild, Gustafson, Kupec, Putnam & Seeberger all voted to maintain the tax after previously calling to end it

# # #