Minnesota members of the National Federation of Independent Business strongly support lessening the burden of high taxes and unnecessary mandates, according to NFIB’s annual survey.

“Minnesota small businesses owners have spoken. They are tired of high taxes and burdensome mandates that make it harder for them to keep their businesses open,” said NFIB Minnesota State Director Jon Boesche. “If lawmakers want to keep Main Street intact, they must lessen the pressure put on small businesses. They can start by reining in excessive state spending, resisting attempts to raise taxes, and opposing new employment mandates.”

In addition to our 2025 Legislative Priorities, we asked Minnesota small business owners to weigh in on key issues that may come before the Minnesota Legislature in 2024. The survey found:

• Ninety-seven percent of participants are AGAINST imposing a tax on unrealized income. Taxing unrealized income from investments or real property will have a chilling effect on the economy and stifle growth by disincentivizing investment.
• Eighty-six percent of participants SUPPORT an amendment in the state constitution to adopt limits on state spending growth and require automatic refunds of surplus dollars. Without a constitutional spending limit, politicians will increase spending to unsustainable levels – like the nearly 40% increase in Minnesota’s budget passed in 2023.
• Ninety percent of participants are AGAINST a requirement for small businesses to implement workplace violence prevention plans and training. Employers do everything they reasonably can to protect their business and employees, and they depend on law enforcement to ensure public safety.
• Eighty-four percent of participants SUPPORT a limit on the local property tax levy of no more than 10 percent in any five-year period. Setting a rolling five-year property tax levy limit protects small businesses owners from drastic property tax increases.