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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
PRIORITIES FIRST
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
When it comes to budgeting we need to do it in a responsible manner. That is why I am highly disappointed the Majority in the House is not budgeting responsibly and putting the priorities of Minnesotans first.
The House Majority unveiled their plan that would raise taxes. In fact they would raise taxes by $4.4 billion. They offered their tax increases on the same day it was announced the unemployment rate topped 8%. The plan will place further stress on families and family budgets. It would also hurt the many small business owners that we have in our district.
Given the current economic situation everything we do this session should help to grow private sector jobs in our state. We need to get people back to work, and get businesses to Minnesota that can grow and thrive. Increasing taxes right now would be a great detriment to growing jobs.
In contrast Governor Pawlenty’s plan understands that we cannot take more money out of the family budgets that are already shrinking. The plan put forth by the Governor does not raise taxes. His budget balances the budget and funds the priorities of every Minnesotan in a fiscally responsible way. Priorities such as not increasing taxes, funding our educational system, taking care of our Veterans, and making sure nursing homes are properly funded. It’s a budget I can support.
The Governor’s plan is focused on growing jobs and economy in our state. He has proposed to cut the business tax rate, which is currently the third worst in the world, in order to make Minnesota a place where businesses are welcome. Increased taxes are not a part of the proposal either. The proposal embodies the values the majority of Minnesotans support. Values such as: using common sense in budgeting, and not spending more money than you take in, being fiscally responsible and not taking more money out of the family budgets, letting families keep their hard earn money and making them stronger.
I stand with the Governor and I support his budget proposal. I understand the families of our district are facing hard times. With unemployment rates climbing, the family budgets are shrinking at an alarming rate. They cannot afford to give more of their money to the government. The responsibility of government is to provide a budget that meets the needs of the public, without asking them to give up more of their paychecks.
We can fund the priorities our state has without raising taxes. When we make sure the needs of our state are provided for before the wants, we can balance our budget in a responsible manner just like families do.
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News Items
- Memorial Day Message - (Posted: May 27 2013 2:18PM)
- Dettmer Statement on HF956 - Omnibus Energy Bill - (Posted: May 8 2013 3:10PM)
- Minneapolis Veterans Deserve Better - (Posted: May 3 2013 3:31PM)
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