ST. PAUL — Minnesota House Democrats are seeking to impose a tax surcharge on the top 1 percent of earners to pay down the state's $800 million debt to schools.
The not-yet-defined temporary tax would come on top of an expected permanent increase in tax rates for those deemed wealthy. It's in a framework released Tuesday that sets the House tone for budget discussions.
The plan announced by leadership would also give more schools money for all-day kindergarten programs, beef up a property tax refund program and bolster government-administered business grants. The school IOUS that would be retired were racked up during prior state budget fixes.
House Speaker Paul Thissen says the blueprint tracks with what Democrats campaigned on. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says the higher taxes would make Minnesota uncompetitive.
