--COSTS MATTER--

...and the costs that matter most are the fixed costs they cannot control, such as the property taxes they must pay on the buildings they own or in which they lease space to office or operate.

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David L. Kordonowy
President/CEO, Steiner Development
2013 President, NAIOP Minnesota

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"Without NAIOP’s Penny Per Square Foot Fund our tenants would still be paying the highest property taxes in the nation."
~Stew Stender, Stewart Capital Partners

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Pat Mascia, Senior Vice President–Minneapolis/St. Paul Operations, Duke Realty, 2012 President, NAIOP Minnesota

NAIOP Minnesota introduces its 2012 president and public policy team, along with its legislative priorities.

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--COSTS MATTER--

...and the costs that matter most are the fixed costs they cannot control, such as the property taxes they must pay on the buildings they own or in which they lease space to office or operate.

Read more

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Transparency Proposal Talking Points for NAIOP members

Transparency Proposal FAQ

Transparency Proposal Press Release, Initiative to Spur Greater Transparency in Local Government Spending Launched by NAIOP Minnesota

Ultimately local government spending drives property tax levies and, in turn, property taxpayers’ bills. This is the most influential piece of the property tax system. It is also the most important and—in many ways—the most challenging element for taxpayers to understand.

Who are these “Newbies”?
In all, an amazing 60 new legislators—24 new Senators and 36 new members in the House.

To introduce them to NAIOP Minnesota and our issues, we have sent to each of them, along with their returning incumbent counterparts this publication. NAIOP’s story and priorities are told through the words of our own members and our public policy team leaders. Read our latest publication.

NAIOP’s 23rd annual Comparative Tax Study shows that the property tax burden under which Minnesota businesses labor tops all other states in our study but one.

Click here to read the balance of NAIOP's message sent to 2000 businesses across the state, members of the Minnesota Legislature, Governor Pawlenty and constitutional officers.

Cover memo from Director of Public Policy on 2009 Legislative Session

Everyone who benefits from reduced C/I property taxes, won by NAIOP’s efforts, should be contributing to the PPSF fund.  Your pennies are needed to keep this momentum going.

Remember the PPSF fund in your budgets

Read what contributors to the PPSF fund are saying.

Read the entire article in NAIOP’s most recent issue of TaxWatch.

NAIOP's Business Taxation Study, based on a new study from the Minnesota Taxpayers Association.
The full study can be found at ENTIRE STUDY
Read MTA Press Release
Read Star Tribune Editorial on MTA Study

grass-roots (grsrts, -rts ) adj.

1. of or involving the common people as constituting a fundamental politico-economic group; "a grassroots movement for property tax reform"
2. fundamental; "the grassroots factor in making the decision"

NAIOP'S Public Policy Points

The State General Property Tax is the one tax that all businesses in Minnesota pay, Minnesota’s job-creators, large and small, regardless of income, whether they’re profitable or not, whether they lease or own their buildings pay this property tax, a fixed cost which they have little or no control over. 

The State General Tax has increased by 34% since its first payable year, 2002.

Even though commercial properties in Minnesota have experienced significant competitive improvement since 1995, the Minnesota Taxpayers Association (MTA) shows that, for property taxes payable 2010:

• When comparing three different property values of commercial buildings in Minneapolis, property taxes payable are still 12% to 44% above the national average. 
• When comparing three different property values on commercial buildings in Glencoe, property taxes payable are 19% to 54% above the national average.
• Urban and rural $25 million commercial properties and rural $1 million commercial properties are all still ranked well within the top ten nationally.
• Industrial burdens generally range from 10% below national averages to 20% above national averages depending on property values and location within the state.

2012 Property Tax Talking Points
For Minnesota’s thousands of job-creating small businesses, our dozens of Fortune 500 employers, and our tens of thousands of entrepreneurs innovating and working to build a brighter economic future...

--COSTS MATTER--

...and the costs that matter most are the fixed costs they cannot control, such as the property taxes they must pay on the buildings they own or in which they lease space to office or operate.

2010 Property Tax Talking Points
Increasing fixed costs, such as property taxes, on any Minnesota employer in this tough economy will only make it even more difficult for them to retain existing employees and keep them working, let alone create new jobs or bring back workers who have already been laid off.

“We face some of the toughest times our country has ever seen economically, yet most of the business tenants in our buildings - companies both large and small - are facing substantial increases in their property tax bills.”
--From Taxwatch 2008, Issue 3
Lisa Dongoske, 2009 President, NAIOP Minnesota;
Senior Vice President, Director of Property Management, Northmarq

2009 Property Tax Talking Points
It is likely that a proposal to increase business property taxes over and above the already projected statewide increase of 8% for 2009 will be on the legislative agenda again this year. In preparation for that debate, it is important that business property taxpayers fully understand Minnesota's dual system of taxing commercial and industrial property. NAIOP in partnership with the Coalition of Minnesota Businesses, the Minnesota Business Partnership and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has developed a special educational flyer explaining that system.

Cover memo from Director of Public Policy on 2009 Legislative Session

Influencing the Process – the 2009 Legislative Session

2009 Comparative Tax Study
An urgent message to Minnesota policymakers...

Business owners face soaring local and state property tax bills….up to a combined 8% statewide in 2009.

Oppose the Street Utility Fee
Cities are seeking authority to impose special taxes on property owners to fund street improvements.  This new authority is in addition to other methods of funding street improvements:  special assessments, special service districts, and the general property tax.

February Forecast Information

Day at the Capitol Talking Points
Property Taxes and Transportation Utility Fees

Working Together to Keep Minnesota Working
A strong economy is the foundation for the high quality of life that Minnesota enjoys.

Dongoske: “Every Minnesota employer who leases space or owns a commercial or industrial building is facing big property tax increases…and the threat of more to come.” Read her complete commentary as published in the Spring 2009 issue of CRE Magazine.

• Dongoske and Mascia: “Every Minnesota Employer Who Leases Space or Owns A Commercial or Industrial Building Pays Minnesota’s ‘Special’ Property Tax - the Statewide ‘General’ Tax.”
  Read their complete commentary as published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal on January 30, 2009.
• Mascia: “Workers’ jobs are increasingly at risk, as their employers look to ways to cut costs and remain viable.”
  Read his complete commentary as published in NAIOP's Taxwatch 2008, Issue 3.
• Dongoske: “I am especially worried that the 2009 legislature may make out tenants’ problems worse by seeking to solve a billion dollar-plus deficit by targeting the statewide business property tax for an increase.”
  Read her complete commentary as published in NAIOP's Taxwatch 2008, Issue 3.