ST. PAUL — Minnesota House Democrats are proposing $250 million in property tax relief including a boost in refunds available to homeowners, new credits for renters and an increase in aid to local governments they say should reduce reliance on local property taxes.

Backers say the proposal unveiled Tuesday would make an additional 225,000 homeowners and renters eligible for property tax refunds and increase the size of refunds for many of the currently eligible.

That’s accomplished by a $157 million increase in the state’s property tax relief program, and an additional $15.5 million for a credit that provides direct relief to low- and middle-income renters.

Gov. Mark Dayton had originally proposed $500 property tax refunds to all Minnesota property owners. But House Property Tax Chairman Rep. Jim Davnie says he’s targeting those in greatest need of property tax relief.