Dear Friends,
Yesterday, the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget released their February budget forecast. The results continued a trend dating back to 2010 of revenues continuing to exceed projections. Over the past two years, the state has generated billions of dollars in additional tax revenue that have helped our state’s bottom line immensely. What was once a $5 billion dollar deficit for the 2012-2013 biennium is now a $2.8 billion dollar surplus. The projected deficit for 2013-2014, which once stood at nearly $4.4 billion dollars now is just $627 million dollars. We now are projected to have a $782 million dollar surplus for 2016-2017.
The results are clear: restraining the growth of state government, and enacting pro-growth policies have helped the private sector to flourish, creating more jobs and generating billions of dollars in additional revenue. More Minnesotans are back to work, with the unemployment rate falling to 5.5%.
Despite these improvements, the Governor and the DFL are insisting on raising $3.7 billion dollars in new taxes to increase the size and scope of government without meaningful reforms. They seek to take money from the private sector and Minnesotans rich and poor alike, and funnel it into government spending. This is the wrong approach to grow our economy.
Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow
Tomorrow, State Senator Roger Chamberlain I will host a town hall forum for residents White Bear Lake, Dellwood, Hugo, North Oaks and the surrounding area to discuss the state budget, gun rights, the health care exchange, and other legislative issues. I hope you will consider attending – I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions about the issues being discussed in Saint Paul.
When:
Saturday, March 2, 2013
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where:
White Bear Lake City Hall
Council Chambers
4701 US Highway 61
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Have a great weekend,
Matt Dean
State Representative, District 38B