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State Representative Bob Dettmer

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Posted: 2010-12-02 00:00:00
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GUEST COLUMN

SHORTFALL UNDERSCORES NEED FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, MORE JOBS

By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A

Minnesota’s small businesses and families have had no choice but to live within their means during this recession. It’s time for our state government to do the same.

We have received the latest budget forecast and we are on track for a $6.2 billion shortfall in the 2012-13 biennium. State revenue is expected to rise by 5 percent over that time, but that rate can’t begin to compensate for a scheduled 28-percent increase in spending.

This path is certainly unsustainable, but we’ve delayed the inevitable day of reckoning by employing short-term fixes like federal stimulus bailouts, postponements in K-12 funding and one-time reductions. Those options not only are exhausted but they now leave us in a tougher spot because our state is committed to spending beyond its means.

Here are the major factors driving $8.3 billion in spending growth for the next biennium:

Replacing federal stimulus money: $2.3 billion
K-12 funding: $1.9 billion
School shift buyback: $1.4 billion
One-time reductions: $660 million
Government program growth (HHS, etc): $2 billion

Now our resources are tapped, leaving us with no choice but to face this reality head-on: We must rethink the way our state does business.

I am eager to take on that challenge because it’s exactly what Minnesotans want. The citizens of our state elected new Republican majorities in the House and Senate because they are looking for fiscal responsibility and a thriving private-sector workforce.

We will face some incredibly tough decisions in the 2011 session, which starts Jan. 4, but I am confident we will bring Minnesota back to prosperity if we show real vision and provide strong leadership. I firmly believe we must set good priorities, live within our means, and grow private-sector jobs. Those are our keys to turning around our economy, state tax revenues and ending our continual budget deficits.

Your input is always welcome and will be particularly helpful to me as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session. It is an honor to continue serving the people of our area and I look forward to getting Minnesota back on track.

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