While they fought tooth and nail to protect millionaires from paying their fair share, the Republican legislature had no such qualms about hurting the middle class. Their cuts to local government aid and changes to the property tax system mean real pain for Minnesota families.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what a nonpartisan House Research study concluded:

Statewide, property taxes would increase by $413 million, or 5.2%, if all local taxing jurisdictions were to adopt their proposed levies…. Increases on the largest property types are 4.9% on residential non-homestead property, 8% on regular apartments, 4.2% on commercial industrial property, 11.4% on agricultural property, 11% on low-income apartments, and 4.8% on seasonal-recreational property.

When you dig into the details, things looks even worse — especially in Greater Minnesota. Here are some details I received in a press release from Reps. Paul Marquart and Ann Lenczewski:

• The total average increase for the Duluth area is 10.3%
• The small business average increase for East Central Minnesota cities is 11.7%
• The residential home average increase for South Central Minnesota towns is 10% with an increase of 23.6% for higher-valued businesses (over $150,000)
• The higher-valued business (over $150,000) average increase for Southeast Minnesota towns is a jaw-dropping 25.7%

And I have to keep saying it over and over. Why is this happening? Because the only thing the Republicans stand for is coddling the super-rich. It’s their number one priority, and they don’t care if it means soaking the poor and the middle class to accomplish it.