Given a choice on how the Legislature should cut taxes, nearly half of Minnesotans said they'd prefer reduced income taxes for all, according to the Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.
State lawmakers are debating how to spend a projected budget surplus of $1.65 billion. Both Republican majorities in the House and Senate, and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, have all proposed tax cuts. Dayton's plan is only a fraction of what Republicans proposed.
The poll found 45 percent of Minnesotans would like to see reduced income taxes, while 30 percent want rebate checks. Former Gov. Jesse Venture popularized tax rebate checks during his term, but that's the last time Minnesotans saw direct rebates. Less than 20 percent of Minnesotans said they would prefer to see tax cuts aimed at specific groups, which is a major facet of current Republican tax plans.
Support for reducing income taxes for all had the most support outside of the Twin Cities metro. About half of voters in southern and northern Minnesota supported that option.
Among voters who identified as Republicans, there was almost no support for targeted tax cuts. Just 2 percent of Republicans want tax cuts for specific groups. House Republicans have been pushing targeted tax cuts to groups including farmers, Social Security recipients, student loan debtors and business property owners.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans proposed reducing the lowest income-tax rate, currently 5.35 percent.
Support for reducing income taxes for all had the most support outside of the Twin Cities metro. About half of voters in southern and northern Minnesota supported that option.
RICARDO LOPEZ
