Accessibility menu
State Representative Duane Quam
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9236
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS COLUMN
NO TAX INCREASES, GOVERNMENT REFORM HIGHLIGHT REPUBLICAN BALANCED BUDGET PLAN
After promising voters that we would live within our means when solving Minnesota’s projected $5.1 billion state budget deficit, House Republicans presented a plan doing exactly that. Our proposal doesn’t raise taxes, slows the growth of state spending to five percent, and reforms government for the future.
The spending reductions we have proposed will not be easy. But when you face a deficit of this magnitude, you have to make choices. We chose to reduce projected spending by 13.1 percent while slowing the growth of government spending to five percent.
House Republicans also made the choice to fund legitimate priorities instead of the bureaucracy. For instance, classroom funding, our courts, and our veterans programs will be held harmless. Reductions to nursing homes and long term care facilities will be limited because we will significantly reduce spending on programs that aren’t nearly as important. We even found money to give the middle class some tax relief.
Reforming government was also at the top of our agenda. Our initiatives reduce waste and fraud, eliminate duplicative programs and spending, and streamline and consolidate government structures for cost-efficiency and improved service delivery.
Governor Dayton was required to submit a balanced budget proposal to the legislature. He told us about his plans to reform government and cut spending to solve our deficit, then took the easy way out by proposing $4 billion in tax increases and growing government by $7 billion. The governor thus insinuated that Minnesota could not live within its means, and challenged lawmakers to make this happen.
On March 10, we presented a balanced budget that lowers spending and reforms government. Unlike the governor, we have presented a budget solution that is fiscally responsible, provides tax relief, and brings government back to reality.
News Items
- Quam Statement on HF956 - Omnibus Energy Bill - (Posted: May 8 2013 9:14AM)
- Capitol Update from Rep. Duane Quam - (Posted: May 3 2013 12:00AM)
- House Moves Ahead with Damaging Changes to Education and Taxes - (Posted: Apr 26 2013 12:00AM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.