Archive for July, 2012
2012 Coalition of Minnesota Businesses Issue Card #2
Educating legislative candidates on fiscal issues
In order to grow and compete globally, Minnesota needs a business climate that encourages companies to innovate, expand and create jobs.
Issue Card #2 | Spend Smart: Minnesota Taxes by the numbers
The second in a series of six issue cards, which will be sent to all candidates for the state legislature.
Read the cover letter to legislative candidates
For more information on the Coalition of Minnesota Business (CMB) and to see all issue cards, visit www.MNBusiness.com.
Don’t forget about the primary elections!
Tuesday, August 14
All 201 seats in the Minnesota House and Senate are up for election on November 6. The process begins with the August 14 primary elections with many important seats at stake.
New Laws Effective August 1, 2012
- Business and commerce
- Energy
- Environment
- Health and human services
- Housing
- Military
- Public safety
- Transportation
Do rising property taxes irritate you?
Don’t let others worry about the decisions that determine your tax bill.
When taxes have our attention, chances are higher that we will check up on how those tax dollars ($8.6 billion statewide in property taxes in 2012) are being spent.
Understanding Your Property Taxes: 2012 Edition, an easy question-and-answer format
- Is it true that every time spending rises or revenue from non-property tax sources falls that my property tax bill goes up?
- Shouldn’t there be protection from tax bills growing faster than value increases?
- How can I know how much my local governments should be spending?
Published by the Center for Public Finance Research, the research arm of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association.
2012 Coalition of Minnesota Businesses Issue Card #1
Educating legislative candidates on fiscal issues
The next legislature must be ready to make tough decisions right away.
Some of the state fiscal pressures (slowing economic growth, the global economy, an aging population, government spending trends) have been building for decades. More recent pressures brought about by the Great Recession and a projected $1.1 billion state deficit mean immediate tough decisions for the 2013 legislature.
Example: Government Spending and Revenue Trends
Minnesota’s fastest-growing budget areas are out-pacing revenue growth:
Issue Card #1 | Spend Smart: Because we can’t afford not to
The first in a series of six issue cards, which will be sent to all candidates for the state legislature.
For more information on the Coalition of Minnesota Business (CMB), visit www.MNBusiness.com.
Even though Gov. Dayton vetoed the tax bill, which included NAIOP’s expenditure type reporting proposal, the support and momentum for the proposal continues…
From the front page of the July 5th Independent Review, Litchfield, Minnesota:
Groups seek transparency in local government
Several Litchfield business leaders and members of the Chamber of Commerce met on June 28th with representatives from NAIOP Minnesota to discuss a possible demonstration project modeled after proposed legislation and aimed at creating more transparency in local government.
“…the project will show that Litchfield spends taxpayer dollars wisely. What better way to demonstrate that Litchfield and Meeker County are great places to do business.”
–Dee Schutte, Executive Director, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce
Read the article
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The St. Paul Pioneer Press appreciates NAIOP’s work to advance Expenditure Type Reporting:
Asking Better Budget Questions
“…five years of cuts have left us very few places to look to cut further.”
Message from Mayor Chris Coleman, St. Paul
“All the more reason, it seems, to take a long and serious look at what’s driving costs higher…we appreciate work to advance legislation requiring cities and counties to report more information in a way that helps residents understand local spending trends…championed by the Minnesota Taxpayers Association and the Minnesota chapter of the commercial real estate organization, NAIOP.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial, Thursday, July 12th
Read the St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial
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From the July 10th edition of NAIOP Source, the weekly e-newsletter from NAIOP Corporate:
Transparency in local government moving forward in Minnesota in spite of Governor’s veto
NAIOP Minnesota is now working with local municipalities to establish pilot programs that will demonstrate the benefits of reporting local budgets based on spending type.
Project Profile | Doran Companies: Mill & Main Luxury Apartments
Named for the intersection of Minneapolis’ historic Main Street and the famous “Pillsbury’s Best” flour mill, Doran Companies’ Mill/Main luxury apartments will soon add to the charm of one of the most desirable urban neighborhoods on the Mississippi river. Ground breaking took place on June 7, 2012 and completion is planned for June of 2013. Doran Construction will be the General Contractor on the project.
Phase one will consist of 196 units. The project will feature two-level townhouses on the ground floor and one-level luxury apartments above. Mill & Main amenities will include a roof top deck, pool, hot tub and entertainment space, a pet spa, a coffee bar, a fitness room and yoga studio.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press appreciates NAIOP’s work to advance Expenditure Type Reporting
Asking Better Budget Questions
“…five years of cuts have left us very few places to look to cut further.”
Message from Mayor Chris Coleman, St. Paul
“All the more reason, it seems, to take a long and serious look at what’s driving costs higher…we appreciate work to advance legislation to requiring cities and counties to report more information in a way that helps residents understand local spending trends…championed by the Minnesota Taxpayers Association and the Minnesota chapter of the commercial real estate organization, NAIOP.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial, Thursday, July 12th
Groups seek transparency in local government
From the front page of the July 5th Independent Review, Litchfield Minnesota:
Groups seek transparency in local government.
Several Litchfield business leaders and members of the Chamber of Commerce met on June 28th with representatives from NAIOP Minnesota to discuss a possible demonstration project modeled after proposed legislation and aimed at creating more transparency in local government.
“…the project will show the Litchfield spends taxpayer dollars wisely. What better way to demonstrate that Litchfield and Meeker County are great places to do business.”
–Dee Schutte, Executive Director, Litchfield Chamber of Commerce
