Pawlenty reminds tax chairs that he doesn’t like tax increases
In case nobody has been hearing those frequent veto threats, Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter to the House and Senate tax committee chairs today reiterating his opposition to tax increases.
Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, and Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, are currently negotiating a compromise between the Senate and House tax bills. The conference committee report must be completed by midnight Thursday. In his letter to the two chairs, Pawlenty described the tax increases in the bills as "onerous." And he claimed it would "undermine Minnesota's economic recovery."
"It is exceedingly disappointing the House and Senate Democrats have chosen to dramatically increase tax burdens on Minnesota residents at a time when the state economy is suffering from the deepest economic recession in more than 50 years," Pawlenty wrote.
The Senate tax bill would raise more than $2 billion in new revenue to help solve the state's $4.6 billion budget deficit. The House bill would raise $1.5 billion. Most of the money would come through the income tax.
Pawlenty insists the bills would hurt Minnesotans who own businesses and create jobs. He also objects to the proposed elimination of many tax deductions and credits, increases in alcohol and tobacco taxes and a new tax on digital products.
"Both bills include an additional array of objectionable provisions that are too numerous to provide a comprehensive list," Pawlenty wrote.
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