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Minnesota Taxes and Tax Plans

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State tax policy that prioritizes everyday Minnesotans can expand economic opportunity, build thriving communities, and strengthen our economic future. However, tax policy can also widen income, wealth, and racial inequality if it primarily benefits those who are already doing well in today's economy.

We analyze individual tax proposals and full tax plans from the governor and legislative bodies, as well as the tax system overall, emphasizing the impact on everyday Minnesotans, tax fairness, and the ability of the tax system to raise the revenues needed to sustainably fund public investments that keep us moving forward as a state.

Research

June 2011

A tale of two visions: Comparing Governor Dayton's and the Legislature's FY 2012-13 budgets

During the 2011 Legislative Session, Governor Dayton and the Legislature put forward two very different plans for the state's next two-year budget. Governor Dayton has proposed a balanced approach that combines spending cuts and revenue increases, while the Legislature's budget relies heavily on deep cuts to services. This analysis compares the details of the two plans for K-12 education, health and human services, higher education, jobs and economic development, public safety, transportation, and taxes.

May 2011

Constitutional revenue limits damaged Colorado's business climate, quality of life

In 1992, Colorado adopted TABOR, a constitutional amendment that strictly limits state spending. The state soon found itself falling behind in many economic performance and achievement indicators. In 2005, a bipartisan, broad-based coalition of state leaders and groups succeeded in temporarily suspending TABOR to allow Colorado's economy to recover. 

May 2011

Revenue-raising options to help close Minnesota's FY 2012-13 budget deficit

Minnesota faces a long, slow economic recovery, large state deficits and some very tough choices. Taking a balanced...

April 2011

Governor Dayton presents a balanced approach to the state's FY 2012-13 deficit

Governor Dayton’s budget presents a balanced approach to resolving the state’s $5.0 billion deficit for FY 2012-13. His proposal makes significant cuts to areas like higher education and health and human services, but prevents even deeper reductions by proposing $2.7 billion in tax increases. Dayton’s budget will also have important implications for other areas of the budget, including E-12 education, workforce development, housing, public safety, and state government.

Taxes and Tax Plans Blog Posts

May 12, 2023

2023 tax conference committee weighs similarities, differences in House, Senate, Walz tax plans

This year, policymakers are considering transformational changes and long-overdue investments to make Minnesota a state...

April 17, 2023

Minnesota should continue targeted approach to Social Security income tax exemption

In the debate about whether Minnesota should change its tax treatment of Social Security benefits, we’ve sought to draw...

March 29, 2023

House Property Tax Division bill includes transformational changes to the Renters’ Credit

One of the highlights of last year’s tax discussion is moving forward again this session: a game-changing proposal to...

March 23, 2023

Early agreement on state budget targets outline use of the surplus

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House and Senate leadership and Governor Tim Walz released joint budget targets that lay out ...