Woodbury Sen. Susan Kent Outlines ‘No’ Votes on Tax Bill

The DFL-led Senate on Monday passed an omnibus tax bill on its second vote.

Sen. Susan Kent, a first-term DFLer who represents parts of Woodbury, voted against the bill twice.

By raising income taxes on the state’s highest earners, increasing cigarette taxes and adding sales tax to clothing and some services, the bill would raise an additional $1.8 billion over the next biennium, according to a Pioneer press report.

In a statement, Kent said there were a number of positive items in the bill, “but mixed with one primary negative one that I could not support because of the feedback I’ve heard from constituents—the income tax increase on the third tier.”

“I appreciate the important and meaningful tax reforms in the bill, including a lower sales tax rate, significant property tax relief, lower corporate tax rate and substantial financial incentives for Minnesota-based companies,” Kent said. “However, the increased income tax on the third tier of Minnesotans would put us at the high end of income tax rates in the nation, and I am unable to support that.

“I am hopeful the remainder of the legislative session will result in the kind of balanced tax reform that will modernize and reform the state's tax system in a way that supports middle class taxpayers and businesses,” she said. “As we continue these discussions, I assure you my focus will be on our district and on a strong economic future for Minnesota.”

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