Dear Friends,
Last weekend, I had the chance to hold six town hall meetings in six cities around District 15B with Senator Dave Brown. It was great to meet and hear from the dozens of constituents who showed up to voice their opinions and have their questions answered about the issues being debated at the Capitol. I sincerely thank everyone who took time out of their busy lives to attend our town hall meetings, and I look forward to hosting more in the future.
One of the most common comments I received on Saturday was that people are just looking for some good news. Whether it's on the state or federal level, there is seemingly very little good news to be found when looking at the news coming from Saint Paul or Washington DC. After hearing that refrain over and over again last weekend, I wanted to write and share with you some good news about the state's budget, and what it means for you and your family.
Earlier this session, Governor Dayton proposed the largest tax increase in the state's history. His $3.7 billion dollar proposal aimed to raise taxes on everything from swimming lessons to haircuts to auto repairs by expanding the sales tax. It also included wildly unpopular business-to-business taxes that would have been in effect a hidden tax increase on you and your family; the tax increases would have increased costs for businesses, which would have been passed on to working Minnesotans.
Democrats and Republicans alike had choice words for the Governor's budget, many acknowledging that his sales and business-to-business tax proposals would disproportionately burden low and middle-class Minnesotans and destroy jobs. Businesses urged the Governor to reconsider. Thousands of Minnesotans from all walks of life filled legislator inboxes with feedback, urging lawmakers to oppose these damaging tax hikes.
It was thanks to your involvement and your voice that Governor Dayton relented, and has since agreed to drop much of his tax plan. Despite not needing a single Republican vote to raise taxes, Democrats relented, realizing how unpopular the proposal was, heeding Republican warnings that the proposal was both regressive and unfair.
This is good news for Minnesota, and good news for your wallet. Your involvement was key. I hope as session continues you will continue to stay involved and engaged, and write your legislators and let them know where you stand on the issues being discussed in Saint Paul. Your opinion matters, and can make a difference. It sure did when it came to stopping parts of a $3.7 billion dollar job-killing tax increase in its tracks, and it will continue to as Democrats continue to pursue misguided policy and tax proposals. Thank you for your involvement in bringing some much-needed good news on the state's budget.
2013 Legislative Survey
Constituent feedback helps me be a better and more effective legislator. Keep an eye on your mailboxes -- next week I will be mailing out my 2013 legislative survey.
If you don't receive a paper copy in the mail, or want to save yourself a stamp, you can find the link on my website at www.house.mn/15b and let me know your thoughts. If you'd like to take the survey now, please click here. I welcome your feedback, and look forward to reading your responses.
Have a great rest of your week,
Jim