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State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
HOUSE BRIEFS
TWO COMPETING VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE
For years, the middle class in this state and our country has been struggling. They’ve seen the cost of everything from school supplies to health insurance, gas prices to milk prices and everything in between go up and up and up. Meanwhile they’ve watched as Wall Street and corporate executives get huge bonuses after sending our economy into a tailspin. They’ve seen millionaires and billionaires receive massive tax cuts while middle-class jobs disappear.
Now, as state governments are forced to deal with massive budget deficits — brought on by the recession and massive tax cuts — the middle class and lower-income folks in our state are staring at even more cuts and pain that will affect their daily lives.
Our state is a day away from the vast majority of state government shutting down. This will have a dramatic negative effect on virtually every person in our state, but especially the middle class and our state workers. I have been doing everything I can everyday to find a solution and prevent a shutdown from happening. I truly believe that no one — Republican or Democrat — wants a state shutdown and I will continue to reach out to my colleagues in the hopes that it can be avoided.
Governor Dayton has made two significant compromises — including cutting his tax increase in half to a balanced budget of one half cuts, and one half revenue — while the majority party has stayed on the same budget spending number they started with at the beginning of session.
A lot of numbers get thrown around and while they’re important, they’re not as important as the bigger discussion of what we want our state to look like. What do we want our future to be? That’s what this is all about. Governor Dayton and the Republican majority offer two very distinct visions for the future of our state.
A Republican budget would cut aid to cities and counties across the state, diminishing services and raising property taxes for middle-class families and small businesses in places like Brainerd, Crosby and Nisswa. The majority party’s budget throws 140,000 people off of their health care, forcing premiums up for those with insurance to cover the uncompensated care of those without.
Their budget makes historic cuts to our higher education institutions like Central Lakes College in Brainerd, hurting our ability to have an educated, talented and competitive workforce. Their budget cuts hundreds of millions to our seniors, disabled, and young students, all while also including controversial policies that aren’t proven to be successful. Finally, their budget would cut 30,000 public and private sector middle-class jobs. Governor Dayton’s budget cuts far fewer jobs — a 6 percent state workforce cut compared to the GOP’s 15 percent cut.
In total, their budget would continue the squeeze on the middle class, shatter our fragile economic recovery, and disinvest in the very things that help Minnesota compete in the global economy.
We know that cuts need to be made; no one disputes that. In fact, Governor Dayton’s initial proposal contained $2 billion in cuts from projected spending and his compromise proposal cut another $1.2 billion from that. But these cuts should not come at the expense of our economic recovery, nor should they continue hurting our long-suffering middle-income and lower-income families.
Governor Dayton’s budget seeks to raise taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesotans in order to minimize the pain of these cuts on the middle class. Our middle-class families need a break and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask those who’ve benefited the most from the policies of the last decade to contribute their fair share.
A strong economy is built on a strong middle class with access to good public schools, affordable colleges and growing small businesses. This strong economy built by a strong middle class is my goal and also, I believe, Governor Dayton’s goal.
A balanced approach of revenue and targeted cuts will allow us to protect the middle class to the best of our ability, keep our state on the road to economic recovery, and position us for long-term success. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to come to the negotiating table with an open mind and a meaningful compromise proposal so a shutdown can be averted.
Court cases to determine what will be deemed critical and funded during a shutdown are underway and we’re awaiting their decision. More information on shutdown and contingency plans can be found on the Minnesota Management and Budget website. Minnesota Public Radio has a running blog with information the budget negotiations and shutdown.
If you have questions, comments or concerns — or I can be of any assistance at all during these difficult times — please do not hesitate to contact me 651-296-4333 or rep.john.ward@house.mn. Thank you again for the honor of serving you in the legislature.
Representative John Ward
District 12A
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