Senator Carla Nelson was honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) on July 29 at the Coalition’s summer conference in Alexandria for her positive influence on the state’s tax policy.
Senator Nelson, a Republican from Rochester, is serving her fourth term in the Minnesota Senate. The Legislator of Distinction Award is given to lawmakers who have played a key role in promoting the policies of the CGMC during the previous legislature.
As chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, Senator Nelson was instrumental in drafting and negotiating a tax bill that included a number of key priorities for metropolitan Minnesota cities, including a residential tax credit, a childcare property tax credit, and the sale of local tax options to multiple cities to help pay for certain projects. She was also the main proponent of a provision in the tax law that would prevent local aid cuts in 2022, even if the current formula would otherwise have called for the aid to be lost. This provision helps ensure that no city faces a loss of government funds as it continues to recover from the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
“We are fortunate to have a strong champion for Greater Minnesota as chairman of the Senate Tax Committee,” said Greg Zylka, Little Falls Mayor and President of the CGMC. “Sen. Nelson always had Minnesota families and communities in mind as she developed tax policies and priorities at this meeting. The last tax bill that went into effect this summer reflects their hard work and dedication. “
CGMC is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group that represents more than 100 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The coalition educates lawmakers on issues that are important to Greater Minnesota.