ST. PAUL – State Representative Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) released the following statement today regarding the State of the State.
“While the state of our state's people is strong and optimistic, the state of our state's leadership is disappointing, overreaching and wrongheaded. Minnesotans want a state government that is as lean as possible, spends their money efficiently and effectively, and is working to improve our schools and attract good jobs. Governor Dayton rates an 'F' on all of these fronts.
While other states are working to improve opportunities for growth, Governor Dayton raised taxes by more than $2 billion, signed into law a new $90 million office building for politicians, and oversaw the failed launch of Minnesota's Obamacare -- MNsure -- which kicked 140,000 Minnesotans off their health plans, paid more than $27,000 in bonuses to discredited leaders and spent $150 million on a website that didn't work.
Governor Dayton wants to take credit for Minnesota's perseverance and success. But our families, employers, employees and small business leaders are doing relatively well despite Governor Dayton's mistakes, flip-flops and misguided policies, not because of his efforts.
In addition to dramatically increasing state government spending and raising more than $2 billion in new taxes, Governor Dayton has stood on the sidelines of one of our most important opportunities for job growth -- new mining opportunities in Northern Minnesota. This lack of leadership threatens thousands of new jobs, many new businesses, and hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment in our state.
At the same time, Governor Dayton has done little to address the serious issues in our K-12 education system, especially the failing schools in our urban core. During his time as governor, Minnesota ranks dead last in minority graduation rates. His talk of more education spending and more programs is window dressing. He chooses to ignore the root problem -- too many of our kids aren't graduating and our poorest families are trapped in failing schools, creating generational poverty.
As the husband of a public school teacher and dad of three young kids, I know firsthand that our schools and children need to be a priority. Governor Dayton is failing too many Minnesota children.
Our state's tax policy is punitive and a big negative for employers and entrepreneurs when they think about where they want to grow. Under Governor Dayton, Minnesota has the 4th highest income tax, the 3rd highest business income tax, and the 7th highest state sale tax. No wonder the Tax Foundation ranks Minnesota 47th in business climate.
Our state can do better. We should start by refocusing our efforts to provide the economic and educational opportunities every Minnesotan deserves.”
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