House Tax Committee lays over HF812 after debate over cost and who benefits

Representative Weiner introduced House File 812, a proposal to lower Minnesota's lowest individual income tax bracket, telling the House Tax Committee the bill would deliver "tax relief for the hardest working people in the state of Minnesota." The committee did not vote on the bill and Representative Weiner moved to lay it over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

The bill's author, Representative Weiner, argued Minnesota's rates are uncompetitive with neighboring states and said reducing the first bracket would help households earning under about $38,000 a year. "Imagine if you will, you're making under $38,000 a year. If this bill were passed, it would be like getting 50¢ to a dollar per hour onto your check," Weiner said, calling the measure "a common sense bill." He also cited neighboring state rates, saying, "Iowa has a 3.9…