Dear Neighbor,
The latest state economic forecast might bring overtaxed Minnesotans closer to receiving an answer to a question I asked back in January: How much is enough?
The forecast from Minnesota Management & Budget calls for a $1.9 billion surplus. In other words, Democrats raised our taxes too much and, as a result, Minnesotans overpaid.
Where it could get interesting is in how people respond to this news as we prepare to start assembling formal budget proposals at the Capitol. Gov. Mark Dayton has been pushing for a $6.5 billion tax on gasoline at the wholesale level.
Polls already indicate the public opposes this proposal and the number of people who disapprove could very well grow in light of a $1.9 billion surplus. The same Survey USA poll shows 75 percent of respondents support a House Republican transportation plan that relies on money from the budget surplus, bonding and some unused funds in MnDOT accounts.
Democrats passed historic increases in both taxes and spending just two years ago. The way we can show Minnesotans we are in touch with them is to provide tax relief, support priorities and get a grip on state spending this time around. Oh, and it also would help if Democrats did not give state commissioners $35,000 raises and build an unnecessary Senate office complex for themselves.
The bottom line is this is not just a $1.9 billion gift card for the state to use on a spending spree. This is real money that was earned by real taxpayers with families. They deserve to be protected and it is our job in the Legislature to be careful stewards of their money.
We still are sorting through the details of the economic forecast, but work on setting a new budget will really get rolling now what we have a firm set of figures that will serve as our framework. Look for more news on this subject as proposals start to become official, but suffice to say, in my mind less is more in terms of both state spending and taxes citizens pay – especially with a surplus of nearly $2 billion.
Sincerely,
Mark