Resolution - #92-09-206A - 09/08/1992

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Councilmember Hardin introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION #92-09-206A RESOLUTION CONCERNING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CREATE A NEW PROPERTY TAXPAYERS~ TRUST FUND IN MINNESOTA WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota enacted a 3% State sales tax in 1967 with the promise to voters that the money would be returned to them in the form of lower property tax relief for property tax payers; and WHEREAS, in 1991 the Governor and State Legislature approved the addition of a .5% increase in the State sales tax, raising it from 6% to 6.5% with 2¢ dedicated to fund the Local Government Trust Fund which was created to continue the State's commitment to local property tax relief; and WHEREAS, in 1992 the Governor and State Legislature extended the 6.5% sales tax to local government purchases with the promise of continued property tax relief through the Local Government Trust Fund; and WHEREAS, each year local governments are forced to combat continued attempts to reduce the levels of State revenue dedicated to local property tax relief through cuts in programs such as Local Government Aid; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the State will face another budget deficit in 1993, making cuts in local property tax relief programs tempting ways to solve the State's budget problems; and WHEREAS, Governor Carlson has already publicly announced that he will concentrate on eliminating local property tax relief programs during the upcoming legislative session; and WItEREAS, the League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities have taken positions supporting a constitutional amendment dedicating 2¢ of each 6.5¢ collected from the State sales tax to the Local Government Trust Fund if such dedication cannot be assured statutorily. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RAMSEY, ANOKA COUNTY, STATE OF MINNESOTA, as follows: 1) That the City of Ramsey calls upon the State Legislature to support a constitutional amendment dedicating 2¢ of each 6.5¢ collected by the State sales tax to a new Property Taxpayers' Trust Fund to guarantee continued property tax relief from the current Local Government Trust Fund. 2) That the City of Ramsey strongly urges that the League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities make one of their 1993 priorities support for a constitutional amendment dedicating 2¢ of each 6.5¢ collected by the State sales tax to a new Property Taxpayers' Trust Fund. 3) That the City of Ramsey requests that the League of Minnesota Cities begin coordinating a series of Statewide "Truth in Taxation" meetings with property taxpayers, to be held this fall, to educate the public and candidates for State elected offices on the issues regarding the need for a constitutional amendment dedicating 2¢ of each 6.5¢ collected by the State sales tax a new Property Taxpayers' Trust Fund to protect local property tax relief funds from budget cuts during the 1993 Legislative Session.