In This Issue:
TNC Committee Holds Second Meeting
The Governor’s Committee on the Compensation, Wellbeing, and Fair Treatment of Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers held its second meeting this week. The Committee, created by Executive Order 23-07 is tasked with analyzing the working conditions of TNC drivers and is required to provide recommendations for state policy related to driver compensation and fair treatment of drivers. Recommendations are due by January 1, 2024. The committee has 15 members, one of which represents the interests of cities.
The bulk of Tuesday’s meeting was spent hearing from current Uber and Lyft drivers. Drivers called for better working conditions, better pay, and protections against deactivations (being removed from the Uber or Lyft platform). Many shared experiences dealing with difficult and/or impaired riders. The committee established a tentative schedule for future meetings. Click HERE to view the webpage for this committee and HERE to view the agenda from Tuesday’s kickoff meeting which includes proposed meetings for the rest of 2023.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Local Taxes Advisory Task Force Holds First Meeting
A new law established a Local Taxes Advisory Task Force, which held its first meeting this week. The task force is charged with examining laws on local taxes (sales, food, alcohol, and lodging) and how cities and counties use local taxes and will recommend any changes for legislative guidelines and approval processes. The task force will study pros and cons of local taxes as a revenue mechanism, equity among cities, challenges of patchwork tax rates, and other issues. The task force will conduct public engagement as part of its process. Local taxes were last studied in 2004. At that time, the Legislature had authorized 11 local sales taxes. Currently, over 100 local taxes have been legislatively authorized.
Task force members:
- Paul Marquart, Commissioner of Revenue and Task Force Chair
- Lisa Bode, Public Member, City of Moorhead
- Pat Dalton, retired House Research Tax Analyst
- Suyapa Miranda, Public Member, Director of Prepare and Prosper, Roseville
- Jill Sims, Hospitality MN
- Jenny Max, League of Minnesota Cities, Nisswa City Administrator
- Michael Williams, Association of Minnesota Counties, Stearns County Administrator
The committee made introductions and meeting norms and protocols. The task force will meet twice per month on Wednesdays 2-3:30 pm. Three meetings are set aside for public testimony: September 27th, November 8th, and December 20th. The next meeting is August 30. Meetings will be held in a hybrid format. Meeting agendas and other information can be found at: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/local-taxes-advisory-task-force
Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at 651-215-4002 or [email protected].