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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
BUDGET DEFICIT WILL REQUIRE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative
State economists recently announced the state of Minnesota is facing a budget shortfall of $373 million. Considering the weak housing market, the economic slowdown and record high oil prices, this shortfall should come as a surprise to no one, and should be a wakeup call to all legislative leaders.
The state’s projected shortfall indicates it is time for the state to tighten its belt. It is time for state legislators, included myself, to take a look at the budget and make some tough choices. Just as families need to re-evaluate their spending when their checkbooks reach zero, the state needs to re-evaluate where money is being spent. We need to make fiscally responsible choices and spend money where it is most needed.
Government spending has grown at rapid pace during the past 10 years. State general fund spending funding has increased almost 40 percent in that time frame, from $24 billion to $34.5 billion. Clearly this type of growth can’t be sustained.
Unfortunately, many of my colleagues want to continue to grow government. There will no doubt be numerous proposals discussed throughout the Capitol complex in the coming weeks to bring the budget into the black. I’m certain many of my colleagues in the majority party will gloss over the alarming rate of government growth and instead insist we need tax increases as a way to raise state revenues and balance the budget.
I feel strongly that raising taxes at this time is a bad idea. We don’t need more taxpayer dollars to fund the growth of government programs. We need to strengthen the economy with business development and job growth, which will be nearly impossible with tax increases. We need to prioritize, cut wasteful spending and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently. And as the 2008 legislative session will be a bonding session, we simply must stay under the $965 million threshold and focus on fixing our state’s core infrastructure needs, including roads and bridges.
While the session doesn’t start for another two months, I want you to know that I am already focused on working with my colleagues to make sure Minnesota comes out of the deficit in a fiscally responsible way. I would also like to hear from you, as many of the best ideas come from the public. Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts with me on this, or any legislative issue that concerns you. You can email me at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn or call my office at (651) 296-7806, or drop me a line at Rep. Joyce Peppin, 331 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
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