Gov. Mark Dayton's budget: The documents

By Hart Van Denburg Tue., Feb. 15 2011 at 11:17 AM

Dayton offers a plan that calls for new taxes.

After nixing the Legislature's proposed $900 million in budget cuts last week with his veto pen, Gov. Mark Dayton submitted his own proposal today for balancing the state's budget, complete with a promised tax hike on the wealthiest among us.

He claims his budget will spare 95 percent of Minnesotans any tax hikes at all. Instead, he's proposed a fourth income tax tier at 10.95 percent for joint filers making more than $150,000, and head-of-household filers making more than $130,000.

He also wants a temporary income surtax of 3 percent for all filers over $500,000 and a statewide property tax on home values over $1,000,000.

No sooner were the documents released than the battle for spin began. State GOP deputy chair Michael Brodkorb trashed the tax hikes:

Or just take the $3.35 billion in income taxes proposed by Dayton - this equals over $1,500 in new taxes per Minnesota householdless than a minute ago via TweetDeckMichael B. Brodkorb
mbrodkorb

They're not, the PiPress political blog reported:

Dayton's tax hikes would have zero effect on 95% of all Minnesotans #mnbgtless than a minute ago via Twitter for AndroidPiPress politics
PolAnimal

And the Strib reports that the rich will feel the most pain:

In #mDayton scenarios, hardest hit by taxes - couple, 2 children income of $1 million home worth $2 million = 3.1% tax increase #mnbgtless than a minute ago via webR. Stassen-Berger
RachelSB

Will the rich folks leave? Dayton says no:

Dayton says "I think the wealthiest people in this state are better than that" when asked if wealthy and jobs will flee Minnesota. #mnbgtless than a minute ago via webtomscheck
tomscheck

Download and read his complete budget proposal, as well as breakouts for health, education, property taxes and government reform by clicking the links below -- and make up your own mind.

Tags:

Mark Dayton, Minnesota Legislature

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Mn Voter

Republicans are for paying teachers and schools. Democraps for raising taxes and against teachers. Not a hard choice this election year. As for making more than $150,000 - I think I will take the fall off and look for a new state to locate to. F$ck dayton and his Rockefeller Oil money sugar mommy bit..ch exwife. How about a 7% tax on bars and restaurants...ops, can't do that as I guess that is what your boys are doing

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4897...

That graph says it all. I don't care that this increase might dissuade some hypothetical business from setting up shop here. Besides, this is personal income tax, not business taxes. If someone making $150,00+ decides not to move here because of the 3% increase in their taxes, more power to them. The current tax rates are regressive and unfair.

Iska Waran

Hey Governor Dayton,

Thanks for proposing a few specific cuts to the budget. Now about those tax increases - why don't you take them and shove them up your ASS? I don't expect that they would affect me directly, but unlike you & your supporters, I understand that having far & away the highest state income tax in the nation will dissuade businesses from setting up or expanding here. Just because Dayton comes from a wealthy family doesn't mean he knows anything about business. His only involvement with Target Corp is to collect his money.

Bill

So a couple making $150K between them is now the wealthiest? Get real Governor Douchebag!

A couple making $150k would not pay any more in taxes. Only income OVER $150k would be taxed at 10.95%, only about 3% more than what you would currently pay on that income.

Bill

No, you are incorrect, this is a new fourth tier of taxation, it is not the money about the 150K, it is a new rate on the entirety.