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State Representative John Ward

375 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333

For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877

Posted: 2011-02-09 00:00:00
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FIRST BUDGET BILL CUTS JOBS, RAISES TAXES



St. Paul, MN – State Rep. John Ward voted against HF130 today, legislation that cuts $900 million in state spending. Ward said there were many components of the bill he could not support, but he was especially concerned about its impact on jobs.
“The Brainerd area continues to suffer from record high unemployment, and yet today we were asked to support a bill that would eliminate more jobs," said Ward. “Even if you are working, you are not helped in any way if more of your neighbors lose their job, their home, or their means to support their family.”
Ward cites $487 million in cuts to aid to cities, $185 million in cuts to higher education, and almost $48 million in cuts to Health and Human Services as potential jobs cutters.
“I talked to my local college, my local social services agency, and my city, and they all tell me this bill will mean a loss of jobs,” said Ward. “We need to look at other ways to balance our state budget before we rush to cuts that will put more of our residents on unemployment.”
In addition, Ward said non-partisan fiscal research has determined that the $487 million in cuts to Local Government Aid are likely to increase property taxes by over $300 million; $80 million on businesses alone.
“Property taxes have increased by 85% over the last few years; increases of this magnitude will further cripple our seniors, farmers, young families and small business owners,” said Ward.
The bill also includes $185 million in cuts to higher education, which in addition to lay-offs will likely mean more tuition hikes, and cuts all state funding for child protection services.
The bill was passed and next moves to the Governor.
“Today we heard a great State of the State speech from Governor Dayton that called for compromise and shared solutions,” said Ward. “There is nothing shared about this legislation; it hits the same working families, children, senior citizens, members of the disabled community and college students that have been hit time and time again over the past eight years.”

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