As the Minnesota Legislature nears the end of its session, the Tax Conference Committee removed a provision from its bill that would help to support families.
According to the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, the provision would have expanded the list of baby items exempt from state sales tax.
The provision, removed May 14, was touted during the United for Life event at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul earlier this year, according to MCC. It’s also part of this action alert MCC has issued.
MCC is urging the public to call the two Tax Conference Committee chairs and to call, send an email or a video to other committee members.
Take action
MCC suggests the following ways to take action:
If you have one minute: Send a message to the Tax Conference Committee urging its members to place the sales tax exemption expansion that includes more baby items back in their final bill.
If you have five minutes: After sending the elected officials an email, take another minute to call their office or send a video message. A suggested script can be found below the listed phone numbers.
You can call the two Tax Conference Committee chairs directly:
- Sen. Ann Rest: 651-296-2889
- Aisha Gomez: 651-296-7152
You can also call the conference committee members directly:
- Matt Klein: 651-296-4370
- Scott Dibble: 651-296-4191
- Bill Weber: 651-296-5650
- Grant Hauschild: 651-296-1789
- Dave Lislegard: 651-296-0170
- Liz Lee: 651-296-4277
- Esther Agbaje: 651-296-8659
- Greg Davids: 651-296-9278
Below is a suggested script to use when calling:
Expanding the sales tax exemption to baby necessities such as wipes, car seats, cribs/bassinets, strollers, sterilizing bags, changing tables, and more will help keep more money in the pockets of parents to help cover the many unexpected costs of childrearing. First-time parents face the largest upfront costs of these big-ticket items. A typical shopping list can easily add up to nearly $2,000. By eliminating state sales tax, parents will save about $130.
Eliminating this tax is particularly vital for low-income families who are often living paycheck to paycheck. A small tax cut for the state could make a life-saving difference when a family can now afford a new safe crib and car seat rather than getting those items already used in a neighborhood swap.
The state’s $17.6 billion surplus in 2023 demonstrates that we can afford to support growing families, especially low-income families who will benefit the most from adding these items to the exemption list. Minnesota cannot afford to lose young families who will support and sustain our well-documented aging population.
This bill has bipartisan support in the legislature–everyone should be able to get behind supporting families. Let’s help parents of infants by easing the cost of these necessary items.
If you have more time: Share this page and its message with family, friends and fellow parishioners.
