Democrats Poised to Flip Flop on Key Campaign Promise: Ending the Tax on Social Security Benefits

Minnesota Democrats have been making the rounds, patting themselves on the back for introducing and moving legislation at a pace unseen in several years. According to a recent report from Axios: 

“The Minnesota Senate and Michigan House passed more bills in the month of January 2023 than during Januaries in the last six sessions combined, per new data from The States Project, an outside Democratic Group.” 

However, amid the thousand plus pieces of legislation introduced this cycle, Democrats have refused to make any headway with one specific campaign promise: eliminating the tax on social security benefits. 

From MinnPost: 

“Gov. Tim Walz and top DFL leaders this week criticized the idea of eliminating a state tax on Social Security benefits despite the fact that many Democrats campaigned on it in critical swing districts that gave the party full control of state government.” 

Minnesota is just one of 11 states in the nation to double tax seniors on their social security benefits. While Democrats during the campaign were quick to promise would-be constituents that they’d fight to eliminate the tax, they quickly argued that any tax elimination would benefit the rich once they cemented control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s office. 

In reality, seniors live on a fixed income and are more likely to feel the effects of rising costs and historic inflation as a result. Yet Democrats, with an $18 billion surplus are so against tax cuts that they’d deprive seniors of an extra $1,200 a year that comes from their tax on social security benefits. 

For Minnesota seniors hoping Democrats keep their campaign promise? Don’t hold your breath.