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State Representative Tom Hackbarth
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2439
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
Time for Common Sense Budget Solutions
On Wednesday we learned that Minnesota is facing a deficit of $1.2 billion. Minnesotans deserve better. We are all looking forward to economic recovery and renewed prosperity, and to help reinvigorate Minnesota’s economy it is time for our state government to set priorities and get spending under control.
Over the past forty years, Minnesota government spending has outpaced economic and demographic measures including inflation, consumer price index, and population growth. Spending has increased an average of 20% with every budget, and this unsustainable growth is now rearing its head in the form of budget shortfalls.
Just like the hardworking families and businesses across this state, Minnesota government must learn to live within its means. The Governor’s proposed constitutional amendment to cap spending at the previous year’s revenue levels is an important initiative to prevent future deficit problems, but the work to balance this year’s budget remains.
There are some who say that answer is to raise taxes and maximize the amount of revenue government takes in. Last session, the DFL passed tax increases of $1.4 billion that affected everything from home heating oil to the mortgage interest deduction to electronic downloads—taxes my colleagues and I, along with Governor Pawlenty, stopped.
Instead, by setting priorities and using common sense to streamline government spending, we can provide our citizens with nation-leading schools, health care, transportation, and other services. It is time to take a serious look at how our government operates, the programs we deliver, and how best to maximize the use—and not the amount—of taxpayer dollars.
With the 2010 state legislative session just a couple of months away, the task at hand is clear. It is time to create common-sense, forward-thinking solutions to stop uncontrolled government spending and reverse the trend of annual budget shortfalls. With a clear vision and sure priorities, Minnesota can tackle its budget problem and help our citizens advance toward economic prosperity and security.
Sincerely,
Tom
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