By Rich Larson, News Director
Minnesota House Democrats passed their tax bill last week as part of the budgeting process. Representative Todd Lippert said the bill will move
toward a fairer tax system for all Minnesotans.
Among the provisions, the bill establishes a fifth-tier tax bracket adding an additional 1% on household incomes of $1 million dollars or more. It also puts a tax on overseas profits generated by Minnesota based companies. Lippert said that there are great needs in Minnesota for funding things like education and affordable housing. This tax bill, he said, only asks those who have done well during the pandemic to pay their fair share.
On the other side of the bill are provisions that align with the federal government in forgoing taxes on the PPP loans that went to businesses to help them pay their employees during the worst of the pandemic, as well as tax breaks for businesses operating at a loss who were not eligible for PPP loans. The bill also extends tax relief to those who received unemployment compensation last year.
Lippert said both the revenue generated and the tax relief this bill provides are necessary.
“In order to help Minnesotans recover from the challenges we have seen related to Covid 19, we have to invest in Minnesotans. And this tax bill does that. It makes sure we are investing in the things we need. The bill both funds the things we need and provides critical relief right now as we are recovering from Covid.”
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are readying their tax bill for a vote this week. The GOP has made it clear that the state has a $1.6 Billion surplus, so any tax increase is unacceptable. Lippert said he does expect the debate to be contentious, and he hopes that things can move to conference committees as soon as possible so the two sides can get to work.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Representative Todd Lippert can be heard here
Northfield has a ‘Blast’
Today promises to be an exciting one for Northfield ice cream enthusiasts, as The Blast Northfield will officially open its doors at 3:00 this afternoon. According to owner Alex Morgan, the Blast is a “mom & pop” soft serve ice cream store with hundreds of ice cream treats in many different varieties.
Many will recognize the name from a similar ice cream business in Owatonna. Morgan, who is a part owner of the Owatonna business, said the two stores are “sister businesses,” which will offer similar fare but will not be exactly alike. Morgan said she is the sole owner of the Northfield store.
She said the process of bringing the blast to Northfield began about a year ago. She and her husband live in Medford but have always enjoyed visiting Northfield, noting her love for both the downtown shops and the Arb at Carleton. She saw a need for a business like Blast downtown and found what she considers to be the perfect location in the breezeway of the Nutting Block building.
Morgan said she has hired a manager to help her run the shop, along with a staggering 30 employees to work in the serving windows.
“All of our employees are either college or high school students,” she said. “Most of them are teenagers, and teenagers want to work, but they don’t want to work all the time.”
The idea is that the store will run short three-to-four-hour shifts, which will allow the employees to work and still participate in summer sports and activities.
The Blast Northfield is located on the river side of the Nutting Block Building breezeway, in between the Contented Cow and the former Tavern restaurant. Spring hours are 3-9 pm on weekdays and 11-9 on weekends. Summer hours, which will begin on the last day of school in Northfield, will be 11-9 everyday.
Anonymous donations made to Northfield Tree Sale
And as the city of Northfield continues its annual spring tree sale, the generosity of the people in this community is more apparent than ever.
Two donors, who wish to remain anonymous, have come forward and donated $500 each to the city for residents who would like to buy a tree but are unable to commit financially. With the established fund, those people are now able to fill out the tree order form and request that the donation go toward the purchase of their tree.
In a statement Northfield Streets and Parks manager Tim Behrendt said “The generosity and support for all Northfield residents is amazing.”
The annual shade tree sale will run through the end of the week. The city has 103 trees available in 13 species. Most trees will be between 3 to 10 feet tall and one-half to one inch in trunk diameter. Prices range from $79 to $109 per tree. Orders are being taken on a first-come-first-served basis.
Planting will take place on May 22nd. Each tree buyer will be given a stake to show where on their property they would like the tree planted. A group of volunteers will then deliver and help to plant the tree. Buyers will be given tree care instructions for how to best care for it.
For ordering, donating or volunteering information, visit the City of Northfield Website.
