Parry's idea for Greater Minnesota property tax relief? Move to rich suburbs

In what may be one of the most revealing articles about the issues in the Senate District 26 special race race, Mankato Free Press's veteran political reporter Mark Fischenich reports in District 26 race: LGA issue divides candidates:

LGA traditionally has been warmly embraced by Democrats and most Republicans in greater Minnesota. Those rural Republicans who haven’t been outspoken advocates of it have at least supported it.

The reason was obvious: Their constituents benefited from the program because it transfers money to less affluent cities and towns, allowing for higher quality services without the large property tax increases that otherwise would be required.

Parry, the Waseca Republican looking to replace former Sen. Dick Day in Tuesday’s special election, mirrors the position that five years ago was aggressively pursued only by a few  Republican lawmakers from wealthy Twin Cities suburbs.

DFL candidate Jason Engbrecht tells the paper how LGA works to lower rural property taxes:

Democratic candidate Jason Engbrecht of Faribault could hardly disagree more, saying LGA is a crucial program to protect outstate homeowners from huge property tax hikes.

“What I tell people is to remember why we have LGA,” Engbrecht said. “LGA is a big part of what keeps our property taxes low.”

Without LGA, homeowners and businesses in small towns without a large property tax base would be forced to pay substantially higher property taxes for the same level of government services, compared to those in wealthier towns. The owner of a $150,000 house in the first category might face a property tax bill that’s twice as high as the owner of a $150,000 home in towns in the second category, Engbrecht said.

“That wasn’t uncommon before there was LGA,” he said.

Parry''s answer? Voters who want low property taxes and adequate service should leave rural Minnesota:

And if people don’t like the level of services or the property tax bills they face, they can move to one of those wealthier cities that offers more for less, he said.

My thanks to the Free Press for helping to flesh out yet another "idea" in Parry's "plan": depopulation.

Fischenich notes that Srp seeks to promote cooperation and consolidation of local government services--similar to the consolidation of school district years ago--in order to prevent a population drain from rural Minnesota.

Next up: Inquiring minds ask whether Parry's "plan" to pay for county and township roads and bridges will land Cal Ludeman behind bars.

Photo: Abandoned farmhouse in rural Minnesota, from LOST Magazine.

Comments

[Dale Moerke]

The Free Press article states that Mr Parry would push for funding to complete the 4 lane expansion of Highway 14. So, it is ok to take my tax dollars to pay for his highway? Well, I've got my own shitty highway that needs fixing (HWY 60). If he isn't satisfied with the highway I suggest he move to a region that offers better roads.

[Minnesota Central]

FYI : The 2009 LGA for selected cities in Senate District 26 is :
Blooming Prairie $ 689,358
Ellendale $ 136,008
Faribault $5,513,269
Medford $ 183,312
Morristown $ 248,061
Owatonna $3,806,322
Waseca $2,470,280
Note : These numbers are after Governor Pawlenty’s unallotment … which resulted in a reduction of $1,132,384.
IF Parry’s 15% across-the-board state budget cut impacts LGA, these communities would be facing a reduction of almost another $2 million dollars.