The Link

1/24/2013
MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER ASSN

Minnesota Taxpayers Association Rebrands as Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence

SAINT PAUL, MN, January 24, 2013: The Minnesota Taxpayers Association, a leading source of information and analysis on Minnesota fiscal policy, today unveiled a new name, Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence (MCFE). The organization also announced plans to publish three fiscal policy reports in the coming weeks that will inform state lawmakers as they address the state's budget deficit, and consider tax and spending reforms:

* An analysis of Minnesota's national rankings on various tax, spending and competitiveness indexes

* An examination of Minnesota's changing price of government

* A multi-state individual income tax comparison and ranking study

"Dropping a name that has established considerable equity over 87 years is not something you do casually," said Executive Director Mark Haveman. "While working on initiatives to grow and strengthen the organization, it became clear that the existing name - coined on the eve of the Great Depression - no longer reflects the scope of our work or the role we play in Minnesota fiscal policy debates."

The Minnesota Taxpayers Association has built a solid reputation among state policymakers for producing well-researched reports that provide data and analysis on a variety of tax and spending issues, including property taxes, pension funds, and state and local tax and spending comparisons.

The new name, Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, continues to reflect the organization's tradition, commitment, and longstanding mission to advocate for sound tax policy and efficient, accountable government.

"MCFE's focus is not on the size of the tax burden or level of spending. Others can lead that discussion," Haveman said. "Our role is to provide high quality, credible research and analysis to ensure that principles of sound tax policy and public finance are part of the discussion. That has been our mission for 87 years, and, we hope, for the next 87 years."

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About the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence The MCFE is a statewide organization, open to all, and representative of every category of taxpayer. MCFE does not actively lobby legislators but provides analysis, consultation, and legislative testimony on issues and specific bills on a requested or as-needed basis to ensure that principles of sound tax policy and public finance are recognized. For more information, visit the Center's new website, www.fiscalexcellence.org

(Contact: Mark Haveman Executive Director 651-224-7477 mhaveman@fiscalexcellence.org)