ST. PAUL  (AP) - Minnesota House Republicans say property tax relief for home and business owners will be one of their top priorities for the next legislative session.

The chairman of the House Taxes Committee says Monday he wants to dedicate about $80 million to lowering property taxes. Rep. Greg Davids of Preston says intended beneficiaries are owners of commercial and industrial property, and homeowners hit hardest in recent years by local property tax increases.

Funding tax relief will be tough in the legislative session that starts in late January. Lawmakers expect another state budget shortfall - Davids says he thinks it will be between $500 million and $750 million. He says Republicans haven't decided how to pay for property tax relief but that it's likely to come from cuts to other state programs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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