House Republicans in Minnesota announced on Apr. 16 a legislative package called the “North Star Comeback,” which they say would provide nearly $4 billion in tax relief, marking what they describe as a state record.
The proposal aims to address rising costs for families and businesses by offering $1 billion in one-time property tax relief, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, and reducing car tab fees. The plan also includes measures to lower childcare expenses and allocates hundreds of millions of dollars for education through scholarship-granting organizations without increasing taxpayer burden.
State Representative Chris Swedzinski said the plan is built around three main goals: protecting family budgets, making government more effective for Minnesotans, and supporting economic growth. Swedzinski said these proposals reflect concerns heard from constituents across the state about financial pressures facing families, businesses, and local governments.
“People have suffered enough damage from the reckless spending and unnecessary tax increases enacted when there was one-party control at the Capitol,” Swedzinski said. “Minnesota has become a more expensive place to live, raise a family, and operate a business, and many Minnesotans are falling further behind financially. They need relief and that’s what the North Star Comeback provides.”
The package also proposes modernizing county public service IT systems, increasing funding for fraud prevention programs, expanding safe schools funding so students can learn in secure environments, as well as conforming state law with federal tax code changes that would deliver additional business tax relief. Swedzinski said previous efforts by House Republicans to advance similar measures have been blocked by House Democrats.
Swedzinski emphasized that property-tax relief is especially important after unfunded mandates on local governments led to higher taxes. He suggested using part of Minnesota’s current $3.7 billion surplus for rebates aimed at residents such as seniors living on fixed incomes who are struggling with costs.
A separate bill authored by Swedzinski (H.F. 4308) sought to provide $3.6 billion in energy bill relief over ten years by repealing certain state mandates but was not advanced due to opposition from House Democrats.
“The House is tied, so we need at least one Democrat to get on board so we can pass these bills and make Minnesota more affordable,” Swedzinski said. “So far, that hasn’t happened.”
