Position Statement — Taxes

Issue

Many services and supports accessed by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families are funded with taxes raised by federal, state, and local governments.

At times, policymakers have invested in tax cuts that reduced or eliminated access to, and compromised quality of, services and supports for individuals with IDD and their families. This led to increased reliance on more expensive and often restrictive interventions and services, and drove up costs to the state and Minnesota taxpayers.

Position

Taxpayer contributions to the state budget – which fund Education, Health and Human Services, and other critical programs and services – are a vital component of the supports that help individuals with IDD and their families thrive in their communities.

The Arc Minnesota believes that a fair and equitable tax system:

  • must be based on the individual’s ability to pay;
  • does not shift costs from federal and state governments to local units of government;
  • allows investment in, and ensures equity of, services and supports to individuals throughout the state.

Tax policies at all levels of government must not eliminate, restrict, nor reduce investment in programs and services for people with IDD. During times of budget surpluses and deficits, access to essential supports for individuals with IDD and their families must be maintained.

 

 

This statement was approved by the Delegate Body at The Arc Minnesota Annual Business Meeting on October 28, 2007.

Revised Statement Drafted by The Arc Minnesota Position Statements Task Force, June 18, 2013.

Revised Statement Is Again Edited and Then Approved by The Arc Minnesota Position Statements Task Force, June 22, 2013.

This statement was approved by The Arc Minnesota Public Policy Committee on August 21, 2013.

This statement was approved by The Arc Minnesota Board of Directors on September 23, 2013.

This statement was approved by delegates at The Arc Minnesota Annual Business Meeting, November 2, 2013.

This statement was revised by The Arc Minnesota Program Team on October 2, 2019.