Franken: Tax bill is bad for Minnesota cabin owners

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on Wednesday bashed Republican tax-reform proposals as harmful for cabin owners in his home state.

“In Minnesota, heading up to a cabin on the weekend isn’t just another thing to do — it’s a way of life. Cabins mean a great deal to Minnesota families,” Franken tweeted, adding that cabin ownership helps boost rural economies.

He then cited a Minneapolis Star-Tribune opinion piece that argues certain aspects of the House’s and Senate’s proposals would negatively affect cabin owners in particular.

Minnesota cabin owners—and all home, business and farm owners in cabin country—would be hit particularly hard by the Republican tax plan. And that’s bad for Minnesota. I urge you to give this piece in @StribOpinion a read to learn more. https://t.co/groLIbVuhU

— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) November 15, 2017

The piece notes that the House bill eliminates the state and local sales and income tax deduction, and limits the property tax deduction to $10,000. The Senate bill eliminates all those deductions entirely.

Property values would drop and property taxes would rise for cabin owners if the tax bill was passed as it has been presented, John James argued in the op-ed. James is a director of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates. 

“Cabin owners already suffer from a Minnesota tax absurdity,” James wrote, noting that they pay $43 million annually in state property tax, which also applies to businesses.

He also criticized other aspects of the tax plan, saying it favors high-income individuals over middle-class families, a common complaint from many Democrats. 

House Republicans have said they expect to pass their bill by Thanksgiving, with party leaders optimistic they can pass a bill through both houses by the end of the year.