Generated Title: Minnesota's Mixed Bag: Taxes Surge While Snow Threatens a Slushy Debut
Okay, Minnesota, let's break down this week's news. We've got potential slush, property tax hikes, and a local news team doing some good. As usual, the devil's in the details – and the percentages.
First, the snow. Or, more accurately, the potential for a "slushy" dusting. KSTP's Matt Serwe is calling for the possibility of the season’s first measurable snow (I wouldn't hold your breath). The forecast hinges on a delicate temperature balance – one degree, apparently, separates rain from snow. The real kicker? Even if it does snow, it's starting as rain, which, as anyone who's lived through a Minnesota winter knows, means it's less likely to stick. Serwe's predicting under an inch south of 494, maybe two inches further south. The roads, he says, should mainly be wet. So, basically, a non-event. Though, he does caution nervous winter drivers. My take? Take it easy out there, but don’t panic. It's November in Minnesota; this is what we signed up for.
The Real Hit: Property Taxes
Now, let's get to the real pain point: property taxes. Preliminary data shows Minnesotans could be facing a nearly $950 million increase next year. That's a 6.9% jump from 2025. The Minnesota Department of Revenue is hedging its bets, pointing out that these are preliminary rates and could decrease (they dropped $63 million last year). But let’s be real, nobody expects them to actually go down significantly. Minnesotans could face $950M in property tax increases in 2026
Breaking it down further, counties are looking at an 8.1% increase, cities an 8.7% increase, and schools a 5.8% increase. These numbers are preliminary maximums, so they can only go down, not up. But realistically, how much lower can they go?
Here's a quick rundown of the past few years' increases:
* Counties:
* 2026: 8.1% (preliminary)
* 2025: 6%
* 2024: 5.5%
* 2023: 4.2%
* 2022: 3.4%
* Cities/Towns:
* 2026: 8.7% (preliminary)
* 2025: 7.5%
* 2024: 7.4%
* 2023: 7.9%
* 2022: 5.5%
The trend is clear: taxes are going up, and they're going up consistently. And this doesn't even factor in the recent school referendums, where voters approved 60 out of 96 funding requests. More taxes are on the way, folks. I've looked at hundreds of these municipal filings, and it's rare to see a year without a proposed increase. What are these municipalities doing with the money? Are these necessary investments, or are we simply throwing good money after bad?
The Good News (Sort Of)
Amidst the slush and tax hikes, KSTP is highlighting the work of Every Meal, a local non-profit. This is part of their Why We Give: Every Meal series for November. Look, I'm not going to pretend that a feel-good story completely offsets the looming tax burden, but it's something. It's a reminder that even when the numbers look bleak, there are people working to make things better.
And then there's the crime beat: An 18-year-old was sentenced to nearly 14 years for a murder in Minneapolis. Another reminder of the challenges the state faces.
The Great Minnesota Squeeze
Minnesota is facing a financial headwind. The "slushy debut" of winter is a fitting metaphor for the state's economic outlook. It's messy, unpleasant, and leaves you feeling slightly worse off than before. It seems like we're all going to be paying more for the privilege of living here. The question is, what are we getting in return? And is it worth it?
