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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
LET'S PUT THE LID ON TAXES
The tax increase proposals keep coming in the Minnesota Legislature. It seems that it’s not enough for the House to vote in favor of raising the gas tax, the wheelage tax, and the sales tax. Now the Senate has voted to make Minnesota the highest taxed state in the nation by raising the income tax. Will Minnesota's new majority party ever have enough money?
I held listening sessions in every city I represent during the month of March and I spoke with many local residents. One theme I heard repeated was this: protect my wallet. I couldn't agree more. The hard working people of Minnesota do not need more taxes to keep them from achieving the American Dream. They need fewer taxes.
But, so far this session we have seen tax increases proposed on alcohol, gasoline, paint, and your paycheck, to name a few. There should be a proposal out there to change the state nickname to "Land of 10,000 Taxes."
I have heard no explanation for all of these tax increase proposals, except that "more money is needed". I am baffled as to why tax increases, totaling $5 billion at last count, are needed. The state budget is around $34 billion this biennium. That’s an increase of more than 9%. The family budget will not grow by this amount, so why should the state budget?
Some of the tax increase proposals include sales tax increases to help fund metro transit, parks, and more trolleys for the Twin Cities. One legislator wants to tax the dead in his district to pay for the cemetery. There is also a proposal to triple the tax on hearses. Why should we be taxed for dying?
The tax increase proposals are out of control. I don't recall many people during the campaign last fall asking me to raise their taxes. In fact most people talked about tax relief. But the Democrats' idea of tax relief is increasing taxes. They want to raise your income tax to give cities more local government aid, which in turn will give you property tax relief. Does this make any sense to you?
The majority party in the Legislature has lost touch with the average family in Minnesota. They don't understand that Minnesota residents expect government to live within its means like families do every day. They favor throwing money at problems, hoping they will go away.
We have enough money in our state treasury. It's time we demand results for the programs that get our tax dollars. Let’s fix the problems. Let’s be responsible with taxpayer dollars. Let’s not tax the great people of our state more than anyone else in the nation. Let’s be known for fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Enough is enough. Let your voices be heard
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: FORECAST SHOWS THIRD CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: 2012-12-06 00:00:00)
- A Look Ahead to the 2012 Legislative Session - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
- A Call to Caucus - (Posted: 2012-02-04 00:00:00)
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