Poppe supports tax aid for farmers, homeowners

Published 10:28 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, speaks in St. Paul Tuesday about a house plan to offer tax relief in greater Minnesota. -- Photo provided

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, speaks in St. Paul Tuesday about a house plan to offer tax relief in greater Minnesota. — Photo provided

Local legislators are supportive of a state House plan to offer tax relief to greater Minnesota.

Minnesota House Democrats are lining up a second tax package that includes property tax assistance for many farmers, homeowners and renters.

Representatives said Tuesday their plan would supply 75,000 farmers with an average $450 tax credit to offset rising tax bills caused partly by soaring land values. Separately, 500,000 homeowners would receive an extra 3 percent from the property tax refund program this fall. About 350,000 renters would get a one-time 6 percent boost in refunds.

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In addition, House Democrats want to use $1.5 million to get surplus crops to food shelves in the state.

“This farm-to-food shelf bill is a win-win-win for Minnesota’s family farmers, food shelves and low-income Minnesotans who need to provide healthy meals for their families,” Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, said in a press release. “We recently passed the bill with unanimous support in the Ag Policy Committee, so this is a priority for both DFLers and Republicans.”

Poppe chairs the House Agriculture Policy Committee.

Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin said he would need to hear more about the House plan, but called it “good ideas for rural Minnesota.”

House Democrats have a few ideas to help economic development in rural Minnesota as well. They would like to expand a small business revolving loan fund and institute a voucher pilot program for small to mid-sized business to consult from universities research groups and consulting firms. House Democrats also hope to increase funding for workforce development and small business grants.

The move is another sign that property taxes will be a campaign issue. The GOP is concentrating on the rising amount of taxes owed statewide, while Democrats argue many will pay the same or less once refunds are calculated.

The measures are distinct from a $500 million tax break plan focused on income and business relief.

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.