Tax Increases Not a Deal Breaker in Minnesota

The new Smart Politics commentary for Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac: At the Capitol site is now posted here. In it I challenge the assertions made by Minnesota Republican state Representative Marty Seifert in his February 24th blog that Minnesotans will oppose tax hikes imposed by the DFL this legislative session. I demonstrate Minnesotans have a history of supporting revenue-raising ventures (e.g. increases in cigarette taxes, gasoline taxes etc.) for specific targeted programs. While taxes remain an important issue for a niche of Minnesota voters, those folks do not comprise the base of DFL support, so they are unlikely to deter the majority party from instituting tax-raising measures this session.