Dear Neighbor,
We have tabulated the results of the legislative survey I conducted throughout District 9A this session and I thought I would pass along that information as we await a budget plan from the legislative majority in St. Paul.
A couple of things stand out to me from the survey responses I received: Local citizens vehemently oppose tax increases and object to government reaching further into their lives.
An overwhelming 79-percent majority of respondents say they do not approve of proposals that would broaden the state sales tax to include things like clothing, haircuts and auto repairs. An even larger 86-percent majority stands against the Health Insurance Exchange bill which Democrats approved this session and Gov. Mark Dayton enacted. This legislation includes a tax on insurance premiums to fund the new program’s operations.
The Democrats’ final version of a bill including some $3 billion in tax increases could arrive on the House floor any day now. Any number of the aforementioned tax increases survey respondents reject are likely to be included.
As for government overreach, 83 percent of the survey participants oppose proposed new laws that would impact our Second Amendment right to bear arms. It appears as if those proposed gun restrictions have been set aside for this year.
The most lopsided response I received to any of the nine questions on my survey pertains to a union push to force private day care providers to unionize. In a landslide, 88 percent object to day care provider unionization. This response is typical of survey results I have seen elsewhere on this subject.
The vast majority of providers themselves are against this measure. Democrats in the Legislature continue ramming this union-led proposal through the process, despite the overwhelming opposition. The Senate passed early Wednesday morning and we expect House Democrats to bring the bill to our floor for a vote soon.
I thank all the people who took the time to participate in this survey – approximately 700 citizens responded. Complete results can be found by clicking here.
We are scheduled to adjourn from the Capitol May 20. I will let you know what develops. Until then, please continue providing me with input.
Sincerely,
Mark