Dayton tax overhaul gets committee hearing

Critics and admirers of Gov. Mark Dayton's tax overhaul plan get a chance to share their opinions Wednesday during a House committee hearing.

The DFL governor is proposing sweeping changes to income, sales and property taxes that have already triggered complaints from a wide range of interest groups.

The House tax committee is planning to hear several hours of public testimony. State Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston said he thinks there will be a lot of opposition to the proposed sales tax expansion.

"I've had groups representing the poorest of the poor, and they're very concerned about what the governor has proposed, because his taxes are very regressive. They always say they want them to be progressive. These are extremely regressive taxes, taxes on clothing, taxing on sick puppies and sick kittens through the veterinary services, and haircuts. I mean the list goes on and on and on," Davids said.

State Rep. Ann Lenczewski, D-Bloomington, the committee chair, said she's hoping to hear from a lot of "real Minnesotans," rather than people who are paid to be at the Capitol.

"Just let us know what you like and what you don't like. We have a lot of people at the capitol who get paid to be here, and we're hoping to hear from some folks who don't get paid to be here and just are kind of watching things unfold," she said.