Minnesotans who want to weigh in on the federal tax law and its local impact will have their chance at a series of town hall meetings across the state.
The state's Senate Tax Committee chairman, Sen. Roger Chamberlain, along with local senators, will be talking with residents at events from Lake George to Zumbrota.
In the coming legislative session, lawmakers are looking for a way to avoid tax increases and ensure the system is not too complicated for taxpayers and tax collectors to navigate.
In recent years, the Legislature has conformed the state tax code to its federal counterpart. But the federal tax overhaul, signed into law in December, complicates the usual process.
If Minnesota conforms its code this year, the state government would collect $813 million more in taxes next fiscal year and nearly $1.5 billion during the following two years, the state Department of Revenue estimated. Chamberlain has said he does not plan to increase taxes.
"Federal tax relief will be good for all of us," Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, said in a statement. "People will see reduced taxes, higher wages, more jobs, and greater opportunity, economic security, and shared prosperity — but only if we make the necessary changes that will help Minnesota families take full advantage of the benefits."
The next town hall meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Plymouth City Hall.
It is one of five town halls expected to take place over the next few weeks, with the full schedule available at mnsenaterepublicans.com. The Minnesota Senate's GOP Caucus is helping to organize the meetings.
