ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republicans in the Minnesota Senate tried unsuccessfully again for an immediate vote on totally eliminating state income tax on Social Security benefits.
Senators said the state has a $17 billion surplus while Minnesotans on fixed incomes are struggling.
“We have four senators in the majority party who campaigned on saying that they would totally remove the taxation on Social Security benefits,” Rochester Republican Sen. Carla Nelson said.
Afton Democrat Judy Seeberger said her “no” vote on bringing the bill to a vote was not because she doesn’t support a full elimination of Social Security taxes, but because she wants to see it done the right way. She added that she doesn’t appreciate the gamesmanship.”
Gov. Tim Walz said he supports reducing state tax on Social Security benefits, but not for wealthy Minnesotans who can well afford to continue paying it so other Minnesotans can be helped.
