Letter: Sundin will work for middle class property tax relief

Talk about it

To the Editor:

Oct. 15 is Property Tax Day in Minnesota and we sure have seen a lot of property tax increases over the last decade – $3 billion worth. Then the Republican majorities in the House and Senate thought it was a good idea to eliminate the Homestead Credit, a direct tax credit that used to go to 95 percent of homeowners. This has directly resulted in $260 million in property tax hikes statewide.

The elimination of the Homestead Credit is even worse for those of us in Greater Minnesota. We’re picking up nearly two-thirds of the property tax tab and our increases were eight times higher than the metro for homeowners, and three times higher for businesses.

And GOP Candidate [Jim] Putnam would only offer more of the same. He is following in his party leaders’ footsteps and has shown no interest in restoring the Homestead Credit or pursuing any middle-class property tax relief. These tax hikes are devastating to seniors, families and our middle class. And property taxes are already a huge burden for many small businesses. These hikes will only make it more difficult for companies to hire new workers or purchase new equipment – delaying our economic recovery.

We need legislators who believe in providing property tax relief for homeowners, businesses, renters and farmers alike. I’ll be voting for DFL candidate Mike Sundin because he understands that a fair property tax system is better for our middle class and our economy.

Sherm Liimatainen, Cloquet

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion