Lisa Marie Demuth, Minnesota State Representative from District 13A, said on April 11 that House Republicans have introduced the North Star Comeback plan, featuring a $3.8 billion tax cut proposal—the largest in state history. Demuth made the statement in a social media post one day after House Republicans unveiled the North Star Comeback plan at a news conference in St. Paul. The announcement outlined the caucus’s budget priorities for the upcoming legislative session and focused on using the current state surplus to fund direct relief measures, according to her post.
The proposed plan comes as Minnesota faces rising property taxes and concerns about affordability for families and businesses. Minnesota property tax levies are projected to increase by approximately $948.2 million in the current cycle compared with the previous year, according to state revenue data. That increase represents a 6.8 percent statewide jump, bringing total payments to $13.8 billion, with many local governments reporting levy increases of 7 to 9 percent. Homeowners across the state, including in central Minnesota, have faced significant bill increases that have intensified affordability concerns.
Demuth said, “This plan is focused on making Minnesota more affordable, making government work more efficiently for its citizens, and jump-starting our economy.” She added that it includes “a one-time property tax refund, ending taxes on tips and overtime, lowering child care costs, cutting car tab fees, and delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to Minnesota schools at no cost to taxpayers through scholarship-granting organizations.”
Minnesota currently ranks 44th overall on the State Tax Competitiveness Index, according to the Tax Foundation. The state scores lower because of its individual income tax structure, corporate tax system, and property tax burdens, placing it behind most of its peers. House Republican proposals are aimed at addressing several of those areas to improve the state’s position and allow residents and employers to keep more of their income.
Demuth represents District 13A and previously served as Republican leader before becoming Speaker. She was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2018 and is a former small business owner and ROCORI School District board member. The Cold Spring resident is the first female Republican and the first Black person to hold the Speaker position.
