Copy and paste the following to start your letter to the your legislator; edit text to personalize

Dear (Insert Your Rep or Senator):

Congratulations on your recent election victory. I am grateful to your willingness to represent me, and our community’s interests at the capitol.

I am writing regarding the property tax crisis seasonal recreational property owners face. Enclosed please find a copy of my 2007 property tax proposal. Much was said about the property tax reform in 2001, but tax relief never materialized for seasonal property. Bills like this have been the norm since 2001. While other property classes enjoyed some form of relief for a time, cabins have paid more than their fair share through the recent budget crisis. After a modest downturn in 2001/2002 of .03%, (the lowest of any property class) property taxes on cabins have been skyrocketing with an increase in 2007 of 11.1%, and projected increase of 16% in 2007/2008.

Please consider or carry a bill that would Repeal the State Property Tax. This tax originated in 2001, and it applies only to seasonal property and commercial industrial. As a trade, seasonal property was excluded from having to pay school operating levies, which were $3 million that year. Our share of the state tax was over $20 million. While we appreciate the recognition that we should not be forced to pay for taxes we cannot vote up or down – particularly for services we cannot use, the trade was terrible. The state tax has never made it into education, as was the original intent.

On December 15th, at a Minnesota Taxpayers Association forum, the Department of Revenue stated that the idea for the tax came out of need – in the final hours, after all the numbers were run on the 2001 reform, there was a short fall. The tax was simply a way to “back fill” a budget gap. The gap has closed now, and it is time to repeal this tax.

Thank you for your public service. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,

 

Your Name
Your Address
Your Contact Phone Number