To the editor,
With the conclusion of another legislative session, Minnesota AgriGrowth is grateful for the support from state Reps. Kiel and Fabian and Sen. Johnson from northwest Minnesota in making strides on behalf of farmers and agribusinesses this session.
One of the most critical issues facing farmers and agri-business in Minnesota has been rising property taxes. A $650 million tax cut package by the Legislature and signed by the governor included property tax relief for farmers who carry a large share of the cost of school building bonds.
Approximately 24,000 farmers could receive property tax relief to reduce their disproportionate share of school district debt service. In addition, the tax bill also removes the automatic inflator in the statewide business property tax, and the first $100,000 of a property's market will be exempt from the state levy and the overall levy was reduced.
Another welcome accomplishment from this recent session is new investment in Minnesota's transportation infrastructure. A $5.9 billion, two-year transportation funding bill was passed, which shifts $300 million in auto-related sales tax revenues directly to road and bridge construction funding.
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This session also included some reforms to help streamline the state's environmental permitting process; however, the work is far from over. Many ag manufacturers and farmers continue to express frustration with a continual "moving of the goalposts," making permitting requirements over-complicated. AgriGrowth continues to believe that protecting Minnesota's natural resources and ensuring state permitting processes advance economic growth.
We look forward to continuing to work with our state's policymakers to identify policies and reforms that can help foster a business climate conducive to the continued growth and competitiveness of this important sector of Minnesota's economy.
Perry Aasness
Executive director
AgriGrowth
St. Paul
