One of state lawmakers’ most complicated tasks in the 2018 session is to make Minnesota’s tax code line up with the new federal changes — what’s called “conformity.” Republican Senator Roger Chamberlain from Lino Lakes, who chairs the Tax Committee, says, “The best thing… for the good citizens of this state is to conform to the federal [tax] law and then change our [Minnesota] law to reduce their taxes — in other words, conform and relief.” Some top Republicans warn that lining up Minnesota’s tax code with the new federal rules will put a “huge tax increase” on some Minnesotans unless other changes are made. Democratic Governor Mark Dayton wants the tax structure as equitable as possible, especially for working Minnesotans. House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman says tax cuts should benefit middle-class families more than the federal tax changes do.
More in this interview with Chamberlain: