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2011 Legislative Session: New Players, Same Game Page 3 of 3 <br />restore local authority. The proposal will also make changes to both county and city statutes related to <br />variance authority to eliminate as many differences between them as possible. This should reduce <br />confusion for both property owners and local governments. <br />Employment. Given the anticipated emphasis on reform and redesign, the League is assembling <br />personnel mandate relief proposals. Changes in House and Senate leadership may provide opportunities <br />for the League to advance longstanding policies related to the Minnesota Public Employment Labor <br />Relations Act and other employment laws that impose costs on employers and impede local control. <br />Taxes. With the severe state deficit, the House and Senate Taxes committees will likely be reviewing <br />programs within their jurisdiction such as local government aid and county program aid not only for <br />potential budget reductions but also for systemic reforms. In addition, the Taxes committees will almost <br />certainly consider bills that will authorize local option sales taxes. <br />The Taxes committees will also likely spend time discussing the 2008 and 2009 changes to the Green <br />Acres law. The Green Acres Program provides property tax relief for owners of productive agricultural <br />property in areas where the market value of land is being affected by development pressure, sales of <br />recreational land, or other non agricultural factors. Under the 2008 and 2009 changes, the Legislature <br />restricted the property that could qualify for the Green Acres property tax benefits to property classified <br />as class 2a productive agricultural land. Rural vacant land (class 2b) can no longer qualify for the Green <br />Acres tax benefits. As a result of these changes, many property owners have experienced significant <br />increases in their property taxes. <br />Can they finish on time? <br />The Legislature must adjourn by the first Monday after the third Saturday in May, which this year is <br />May 23. This year's adjournment date is the latest possible under the state Constitution, and many <br />believe they will need every one of those days to finish their work. <br />Read the current issue of the Cities Bulletin (Link to: http://www.lmc.org/pagea/cities-bulletin-newsletterjsp) <br />Your LMC Resource <br />Contact intergovernmental relations (IGR) staff if you have questions about legislative issues. <br />Connect with IGR staff (Link to: http: /www.lmc.org /page /1 /IGR Staffjsp) <br />Copyright ©2011 League of Minnesota Cities, 145 University Ave. W, Saint Paul, MN 55103 -2044 I Phone: (651) 281 -1200 I Toll -Free: (800) 925 -1122 <br />http://www.lmc.org/page/l/newsession.jsp 1/5/2011 <br />