Senate Tax Chair Says Tax Breaks Same As Spending

ST. PAUL (AP) - The Republican chairwoman of the state Senate Taxes Committee says she views tax breaks as state spending and says they should be reviewed to see if they should stay on the books.

Sen. Julianne Ortman says Wednesday she expects a proposal to eliminate some tax breaks will be part of the larger attempt by legislative Republicans to eliminate a $6 billion budget shortfall.

That could cause conflict with some Republicans who say closing tax breaks is the same as a tax increase.

Ortman did not specify what tax breaks might be targeted but says lawmakers will review that in the coming weeks.

The state currently extends a wide range of exemptions to its sales, income, property and corporate tax collections. The most widely known are the popular sales tax exemptions on clothing and food purchases.

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