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Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Kelby Woodard

221 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7065

For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520

Posted: Mar 15 2013 12:56PM
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OP/ED COLUMN

Details emerge re: Gov's tax reversal

By Rep. Kelby Woodard

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with local residents during a series of town hall meetings last weekend. During these conversations, many folks expressed serious concern over Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed tax increases. Fortunately the governor has backed down from some of his proposed tax increases after it became clear he lacked support from the public, small businesses, and both sides of the aisle.

This week the governor replaced his $3.7 billion plan with a new $1.83 billion plan for new taxes. These increases include $1.1 billion in income taxes, $30 million for snowbirds, $317 million in new tobacco taxes, $34 million in business-property taxes, and a metro transit sales tax which may increase from .25 percent to .5 percent.

While the governor reversed course on some of his proposed new taxes, the DFL majorities in the Legislature continue to pursue bills that raise sales taxes, alcohol taxes, gas taxes, etc. Perhaps most surprising is that there is no plan to pay back the school shift. There is strong bi-partisan support for paying back this debt to our schools and it should be a priority this session.

Folks in town hall meetings throughout the district have made it clear that they are not too keen on the DFL majorities’ plan to increase taxes on an already overburdened Minnesota taxpayer. Taxes do indeed have consequences and high taxes mean less job opportunities for Minnesotans. As we have seen with the governor’s reversal on the proposed business-to-business tax, we also know the power of informed Minnesotans to bring about positive change.

I will continue to work to improve bills that are important to the DFL, but not to the point that I endorse policies that I believe are bad for Minnesotans.

DAYCARE UNIONS

A bill advancing through the Legislature would establish a “statewide bargaining unit for all family child care providers” in Minnesota. This issue first arose in 2011 when Gov. Dayton attempted to use an executive order to force unionization of licensed childcare providers.

This bill represents a massive overreach into the lives of Main St. Minnesota businesses and Main St. Minnesotans. Child care providers are small-business owners who currently have the right to negotiate rates with parents without interference from outside parties. The overwhelming majority of folks who approach me on this topic oppose this forced unionization of day care providers.

LOCAL BILL

I have authored a bill (HF 803) which would allow Cambria to buy state owned land to expand its LeSueur operation. Cambria would have the ability to purchase land which is currently used as a rest stop on Highway 169. Cambria plans to create hundreds of new jobs as a result.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you on issues that are important to you and your family.

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