Minnesota State Bar Association President Responds to Gov. Walz’s Proposed Tax on Legal Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cheryl Dalby, cdalby@mnbars.org, 612-333-1183

January 16, 2025 — Today Gov. Walz unveiled a budget plan that includes a sales tax on legal services. Minnesotans often need to hire lawyers when they are vulnerable and suffering, including situations involving bankruptcy, eviction, foreclosure, child custody, criminal accusations, personal injury, and domestic violence. 

Minnesota State Bar Association President Samuel Edmunds said, "Taxing legal services will provide some revenue to the state, but at what cost?" Edmunds added: "MSBA appreciates the need to balance the state budget, but it should not be accomplished by taxing people who are in situations that are highly consequential, stressful, and often unexpected. A tax on legal services is a tax on misery."

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MSBA was established in 1883 and serves over 14,000 attorney and law student members. The association promotes the highest standards of excellence and inclusion within the legal profession, provides valued resources to its members, and strives to improve the law and the equal administration of justice for all.