Dear Neighbor,
Hello from the Capitol, where I welcome you to participate in a legislative survey I currently am conducting.
The survey covers some of the top issues we face in St. Paul this session. Questions range from the taxes we pay to the state’s ban on Sunday liquor sales, a drive to unionize child care providers in our state and more. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and the feedback I receive will be of great help to me as I continue doing my best to represent the people of our area. Thanks in advance for your participation. Click here for the link.
In other news, I was pleased to meet with local Future Farmers of America students from District 9A during their recent visit to St. Paul for the Agriculture Policy Bootcamp. This two-day program provides opportunities for students to become more informed and active leaders in our schools and communities. Participants worked closely with mentors throughout the conference and will maintain that working relationship even after returning home. Agriculture is a huge driver of our local economy and it's great to see so many high-schoolers involved.
Another big day for this group will be March 27 – FFA Day at the Capitol. Members of FFA clubs from throughout Minnesota will visit with legislators to advocate for agricultural education. They are likely to underscore the importance of agricultural education and share the benefits they have gained through it. That is good, because sometimes my legislative friends from the metro need to be reminded how important ag. is to parts of the state like ours. It will be fun to see all those blue corduroy FFA jackets around the Capitol!
On a different note, we have a $1.2 billion surplus projected for the remainder of the 2014-15 biennium. Now, Democrats say they want to spend $510 million on more government programs.
They're acting as if it's free money.
After increasing government spending by $6,000 for every family of four last year, Democrats need to end their wasteful spending habits and give back the surplus to hardworking taxpayers. They previously agreed to use $550 million to eliminate three business-to-business tax increases that legislative Democrats and Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law last year.
That’s a start, but only a start. You shouldn't slap yourself on the back too hard for taking significant money out of the taxpayer's front pocket and stuffing a few bucks in the back.
Sincerely,
Mark