Justice loses tax-reduction bid on his lakeside property

In this case, the justice didn't prevail.

Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson lost a bid Monday to lower the market value on a lakeside lot he purchased in Kandiyohi County.

The County Board rejected his appeal on a 4-1 vote.

Anderson, a justice since 1994, told county commissioners that he wasn't protesting taxes. According to the West Central Tribune of Willmar, Anderson said he was trying to send a message to young people that they should question government. Anderson said he was making a point about inequities in property values.

Anderson told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he was exercising his rights as a private citizen.

"I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes," Anderson told the AP. "But in the process we have to do things right. It was pretty apparent they were not doing right and surely not explaining why they did what they did."

Anderson and his wife, Janice, already owned a lot on Big Kandiyohi Lake when they decided to purchase an adjacent property. It included a 560-square-foot unpainted cabin.

The market value was established after a review by the county's Diane Swanson.

She cited the values of similar properties that were assessed higher and lower than the lot in question.

At the meeting, Anderson railed against state cuts to local government allowances, which officials around Minnesota have blamed for rising property taxes. Anderson called the state cuts "despicable."

Anderson, whose primary residence is in Inver Grove Heights, said he won't pursue the matter further.