As we near the end of the 2013 Legislative Session, my colleagues in charge of the legislature are still working to produce a balanced budget. Even without specifics on hand, the hardworking taxpayers of Scott County can still expect to see the highest tax increases in over 30 years to pay for the most spending in state history.
House Democrats have made their intentions clear to increase taxes and fees on all Minnesotans by upwards of $3 billion, spend an extra $4 billion of taxpayer money, and borrow nearly $1 billion to fund recreational bonding projects around the state.
The fact of the matter is Democratic majorities and Governor Dayton face a better economic situation than previous legislatures. If they simply continued the Republican budget from 2011, they would have $1.2 billion more to work with based on the state’s slow-but-steady economic recovery.
To me, a simple and rational solution would be to keep and work with the current operating budget. Trashing the budget that helped us get out of the woods in the first place strikes me as an irresponsible and unnecessary overreach, and I think many in Scott County would agree with me.
Now, hardworking taxpayers can expect to pay more for electricity, water use, batteries, carpet, paint, alcohol, sports memorabilia, rental cars, and more. Our state’s small business owners can also expect to take a hard hit, while our nursing homes can expect less funding.
Meanwhile, during a non-bonding year, my colleagues across the aisle are proposing to borrow and spend nearly $1 billion in taxpayer money to “create jobs.”
Folks, if we have to borrow that much money for a “jobs” bill, that’s a poor reason to do a bonding bill, especially when there are currently $2.7 billion in unauthorized bonds that still haven’t been spent yet. That being said, not doing a bonding bill this year isn’t going to slow anything down or leave anyone out of work.
The one bright note among all of these tax-and-spend increases is that the gas and transportation taxes that would have afflicted Scott County are gone in the House. However, the Senate version of the Transportation Finance bill is a mess, and I will stand eternally vigilant to protect us from unreasonable taxation.
Rest assured, as we enter the final stretch of this legislative session, I will continue to do my best to represent you and protect the interests of Shakopee and Scott County.
As always I welcome your comments and thoughts. Please contact me at any time. I can be reached at 651-296-8872 or by email rep.mike.beard@house.mn.