ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republicans in the Minnesota Senate have proposed the largest tax relief package in state history. The proposal cuts the first-tier income tax rate from 5.35% to 2.8%. Republicans leaders say, the tax cuts would reduce $8.5 billion in state revenue in the next three years. The GOP plan also would exempt Social Security income from personal taxes.

Verbatim

Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, who is Senate Majority Leader, said about the GOP plan in a KWNO interview: “We’re going to have income tax cuts that put more money in working Minnesotans’ pockets every single paycheck.”

Democrats’ response

Rather than tax cuts, Democrats are favoring new state spending on infrastructure, education and social programs. Democrats also like Governor Tim Walz’s plan to use much of the budget surplus sto end rebate checks of $175 per person immediately to taxpayers. Democrats caution that massive tax cuts, as Republicans propose, could create a budget deficit if the economy sours.

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