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State Representative Tony Cornish
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4240
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS COLUMN
STATE OF THE STATE IS ANOTHER GOVERNMENT REMINDER: LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS
Recently, Governor Tim Pawlenty highlighted his goals in his 2005 State of the State Address, and outlined his vision for Minnesota’s future. I’m pleased to report his viewpoints coincide with mine it a lot of ways, especially on taxation issues and welfare reform.
The Governor once again pledged not to raise taxes to solve the budget deficit, and pointed out that Democratic governors in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois are now attempting to the same thing. Pawlenty pointed out that state spending has doubled in the last ten years, even though inflation and population didn’t grow nearly that fast.
He also added that state welfare programs are out of control and will consume the state’s entire budget in the next 15 years. This is ridiculous. If we are to maintain the viability of these programs, changes need to be made now and focus needs to be narrowed towards those people who have the fewest resources and the greatest needs. Raising taxes to maintain the current level of welfare is unacceptable, and would be an insult to every hard-working taxpayer in this state. I’m glad Governor Pawlenty sees this problem for what it is and wants to do something about it.
The Governor also wants our government to be more accountable to the people. He has an interesting plan. When each Minnesota taxpayer receives their annual “Truth in Taxation” form in the mail, it would also include three Taxpayer Satisfaction Survey postcards - one for the county, city or township, and school district. The postcard would enable taxpayers to mail in a “no” vote if they think a potential levy increase goes beyond a reasonable level. If significant dissatisfaction is registered, a levy referendum on the amount of increase above a certain level would be triggered. That gives power to the people.
In addition, the Governor highlighted several other proposals, including supporting our military and guard members by passing additional financial incentives for service in the Minnesota National Guard; improving the way we educate our children by increasing funding for K-12 schools, making gaming in Minnesota more equitable by achieving fairness for the 85 percent of tribal members and the rest of the state who do not currently benefit from Indian casinos; and protecting the safety of Minnesotans by enacting new measures to deal with the meth epidemic and stronger penalties for sex offenders.
But it was the taxation language I found most interesting. Governor Pawlenty has pinpointed where spending is out of control and supports making necessary changes. He realizes where government may be overstepping its bounds in terms of spending and wants the people to have their fair say. That’s accountability, and that’s something I’ll always support.
News Items
- REP. CORNISH ANNOUNCES REDISTRICTING PLAN - (Posted: 2012-02-23 00:00:00)
- REP. CORNISH INVESTIGATES LACK OF TRIBAL CASINO GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT - (Posted: 2012-02-02 00:00:00)
- REP. CORNISH AUTHORS FAMILIAL DNA PROPOSAL - (Posted: 2011-04-14 00:00:00)
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