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State Representative Sandra Masin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3533
For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873
Column/LTE
BUDGET FORECAST MEANS CAUTION & TOUGH DECISIONS
To the Editor:
With the Department of Finance releasing its February Budget Forecast, we can know begin the serious work of assembling the state's budget for the next two years.
If you count inflation, the state has roughly $1 billion in one-time money remaining from the current fiscal year and stays even for the next two-year cycle. The good news is that we won't have to make any of the painful cuts that the Legislature has made in recent years. However, we must face the realities of the economy and the budget.
The roller coaster stock market and flat job numbers both in Minnesota and nationally shows that our economic isn't rosy. That means lower tax revenue and greater use of government services, a risk that could turn our balanced budget into a deficit.
We also need to look at the budget forecast directly. The $1 billion we do have can't be used for any ongoing budget items such as education funding. It must go to one-time investments, like technology upgrades for schools. The only way to increase state investments in areas such as education and health care beyond inflation would require either cuts to other areas or new sources of revenue. There will have to be trade offs no matter what decision we make.
This process will require tough decisions and as your state representative I want know what your priorities are. Please contact me at 651-296-3533 or at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn.
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- EAGAN TRIBUTE & MEMORIAL DEDICATION State Representative Sandra Masin invites area residents to unveiling ceremony - (Posted: 2010-10-06 00:00:00)
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