Local Government

The Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce supports:

Responsible Tax Management by:

Not Increasing Commercial and Industrial Property Tax.

                                     Reducing the C&I property tax would allow businesses to extend those cost savings onto the consumers. The property tax system should be based solely on the estimated market value of property.  Artificial mechanisms like the classification system and limited market value, among others, should be eliminated.

Preserving Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

                                    Preserving Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a flexible local economic re-development tool. The use of TIF can be a catalyst to add millions of dollars in property value for taxing jurisdictions and it can spur economic growth at the local level. Additional benefit from economic activity includes increased state revenue collection through sales and payroll taxes. TIF must be preserved as a flexible tool because economic re-development projects are site specific and companies select a specific site or building for their project. Actions by the legislature on TIF that are restrictive in nature will severely impact the ability of cities to expand and attract businesses. 

Restricting Fees (Business Registration, Utility/Franchise Fees)

                                    Restricting fees to only services where there is a private market sector alternative.  Additionally the fee revenue should be set in proportion to the direct cost of the goods or services provided, and separate accounts should be created for fee expenditures so the public can assess whether the fee is set in an appropriate manner.

                                               Click here for a Utility Franchise Fee specific position approved 7/25/2008

Fiscal Responsibility

                                    Administrating government with public policy in mind and with priorities that promote economic and social investment, and fairness for all of its citizens. Furthermore, the long-term sustainability and the economic health of the system should serve to benefit all. Guiding principles to ensure sustainable tax and spending policy include "fiscal restraint," "sustainability," and "stability".

                   Transparency

                                    The budget affects much that matters to the people: education; health and human services; public safety; parks and environmental protection; local aid; taxes; and much more. By making the process more transparent, ordinary people will have access to better information – directly on the state web site, or through the media or citizen groups – and therefore will be better able to hold elected officials accountable and have a more effective voice in debates about how our state allocates the tax dollars that everyone pays to fund public services. Set priorities for Programs and Funding, with a focus on identifying which programs work and those that don’t.   

Ease of Conducting Business by alleviating:

Zoning Restrictions

                                   Allowing variances in zoning that would increase business economic development.

Regulations

                                    Discouraging any regulation that would hinder the act of conducting responsible business.

Sign Ordinances

                                    Loosening restrictions and enforcement on arbitrary sign ordinances and favoring quality, responsible signage.

Pro Business Government Officials by:

                  Identifying, cultivating and encouraging pro business individuals seeking office within the government.

Providing opinions, statistics and other information that supports the pro business model to members, non members, future and existing government officials.