State Senate Republicans say Minnesotans should get back part of the state’s expected 1.3-billion-dollar surplus and they’re pushing to phase out Minnesota income tax on Social Security benefits. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says, “We’re one of only 10 or 12 states that taxes Social Security income, and if we could get rid of that — acknowledging that it’s a big pricetag — that would be good for Minnesota.”
House Speaker, Democrat Melissa Hortman says, “Senator Gazelka is pushing a tax cut for rich…. I don’t see us moving in that direction.” Hortman says of 19 billion dollars in Social Security benefits that come into Minnesota, only five billion is taxed.