A host of Twin Cities suburbs are looking to enact local sales taxes to help maintain and upgrade aging public amenities like community centers, ice rinks and city buildings.
It's going to cost you more to pay for goods and services in Stearns County which are subject to sales taxes. As of January 1st, Stearns County began collecting an additional quarter percent to help fund road construction projects.
Democratic lawmakers who lead House transportation panels are seeking a menu of transportation tax and fee hikes including a five-cent increase in the state gas tax.
In a prelude to a bigger debate, Minnesota lawmakers have taken their opening looks at plans to apply the state sales tax to online purchases and expensive apparel. A state Senate subcommittee on Wednesday reviewed a series of sales tax bills, including the one to make clothing sales above $200 taxable.
Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders say the Minnesota Vikings and their supporters should find a way to pay for a new stadium that doesn't include local or state tax increases. That leaves a large hole in the current proposal for a $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Ramsey County.
A tax package from Senate Republicans would reduce aid to cities and counties while giving them more latitude to raise local sales taxes. The bill presented Wednesday in the Senate Taxes Committee would also begin a gradual phase-out of the statewide business property tax while adding or expanding sales tax exemptions for commuter airplanes and medical equipment.