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Problems and Solutions with Minnesota's Property Tax Code

Watch the video. Ask your legislator to watch it as well. (Produced by the Minnesota Extension Service) 

 

David M. Walker: Trends in Minnesota's State & Local Fiscal System Meltdown

Joint Meeting, Senate Taxes and Finance Committees, Tuesday March 16, 2010

Mr. Walker is President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, former Comptroller General of the United States, former head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). 

 

Star Tribune Lake Shore Development Series

The Star Tribune ran a three part series on the Development of Lake Shore.

A sobering, eye-opening assessment of why water quality is declining so rapidly in Minnesota. Regulations are out of date, incentives of both board and land owners is towards development that does not protect water quality, and enforcement of existing regulations is uneven and unreliable.

MSRPO has long proposed incentives that would help those who manage land in a way that  protects, restores or enhances water quality, and habitat.

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Welcome to MSRPO

Welcome to the Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners (MSRPO) Coalition website.

MSRPO speaks for recreational property owners at the State Capitol, seeking tax fairness, and greater support  for families that own cabins, lake-shore, hunting shacks and seasonal property in Minnesota. We know that these families are the the primary stewards of Minnesota's great outdoor heritage, and we aggressively defend their way of life.

For more than a decade, MSRPO has been the only advocate for Minnesota's 120,000 seasonal property owners.  We seek incentives for sound stewardship, fair taxation, transparent assessment practices and greater involvement in local decision making.

2010 Legislative Accomplishments

Ten days after the session ended, Governor Pawlenty signed the 2010 Tax Bill into law. The session was dominated by gloomy budget forecasts. All budgets were cut, and talk of tax reductions were dismissed immediately by legislators. We also heard from many members who feel that not enough is being done to protect water quality and the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. Because of our members' consistent letter and email writing, MSRPO was able to score some victories in both the property tax and water quality arenas.

TAXES...click here to read more

LAND USE ISSUES...click here to read more

WATER QUALITY & AQUATIC INVASIVE SPEICES (AIS)...click here to read more

  

Minimum Standards Update

For lake shore development and structures in public waters.

 In 2008, the DNR began the process of rewriting the statewide minimum standards for lake shore development and structures in public waters. A draft of the new regulations is being reviewed by the governor's office at present. Following that review there will be at least a 60-day notice for the hearings. During this time and for a time (20 or 30 days) after the hearing, the record is open to comment. So there will be plenty of opportunity for public comment. At the same time, the DNR also began to review and rewrite statewide standards for structures in public waters (docks). View the most current rules and the processes.

If you have any question regarding the proposed shoreline rules, contact Peder Otterson.

If you have questions concerning the proposed Structures in Public Waters, contact Tom Hovey.

Legacy Amendment

In 2008, Minnesotans voted for a Constitutional Amendment known as the "Legacy Amendment" to raise taxes for dedicated funding to "protect, enhance, and restore, wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game and wildlife habitat...."...click here to read more.

 

Federal Use Permit Holders

MSRPO gets the land covered by Federal Use Permits taken off Minnesota property taxes. Work continues on CUFFA laws.

 

Finding A Way Forward

A plan to fix Minnesota's State and Local Fiscal System.

Minnesotans are beginning to learn what cabin owners have known for a long time, Minnesota's State and Local Fiscal System is broken. Biennial deficits have spun out of control and projections show that the problem will only get worse. Property taxes are spiking. Local governments are struggling to provide basic services. Our education ranking and environment and business climate are declining as well.

Sensible Tax and Fiscal Systems (STAFS)  formed for the purpose of developing and recommending solutions to the worst fiscal problems Minnesota has seen in 28 years.

For those of you who want to dig in and understand how to fix Minnesota's broken tax and fiscal system click here.

Talk with your legislators and candidates about what they plan to do to fix the system.  Ask them if they are familiar with the Finding A Way Forward Plan and if not, direct them to this website to learn more.

MSRPO will vigorously support a total overhaul of our state and local fiscal system promoting a system that:

  • Is fair, transparent and connects property taxes with ability to pay.
  • Adequately funds key services like education and transportation.
  • Provides incentives for preservation, conservation or restoration of riparian and habitat areas.
  • Rewards innovation and efficiency.

The MSRPO Board has endorsed this tax proposal and urges lawmakers to embrace the ideas contained within it.