Study: Equal marriage could bring $42 million to Minnesota economy over three years
A new study has estimated that, if legalised, equal marriage could bring large economic boosts to the US state of Minnesota.
The study by the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California School of Law, estimated that in the first three years of allowing marriage equality, the state’s economy would be boosted by $42 million (£27 million).
The figure includes $28 million (£18 million) in new wedding spending, as well as a further $14 million (£9 million) brought in by tourism expenditures made by out-of-town guests.
As well as those increases, the study estimated that state and local tax revenues would rise by $3 million (£2 million), which included around $128,000 (£83,000) in local taxes, and $2 million (£1.3 million) would occur within the first year.
In terms of new jobs, the study estimated that, due to the boost in travel spending would generate 283 new positions in Minnesota.
The study went on to say that the state could make extra revenue from same-sex couples travelling into the state from neighbouring states to marry.
Last month, a similar study estimated that the state of Illinois would bring in an extra $100 million (£65 million) in additional wedding spending and $8.5 million (£5.5 million) in tax revenue.
Both the Minnesota House and Senate committees previously passed the proposed same-sex marriage bill. The bill is expected to be voted on in both the House and Senate later on this session.
On 6 November 2012, voters in Minnesota voted ‘no’ on Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as being a union solely between a man and a woman.
Washington, Maine and Maryland legalised equal marriage in referendums in those states on the same day.
Pro-equality campaigners in Minnesota have since stepped up efforts to push for equal marriage to be legalised in the state.
