1. The State of Minnesota is projecting a $5 billion budget deficit. The last time we had a deficit of similar size (2003) the Legislature primarily used one-time money, accounting shifts, and funding cuts to education, health care and property tax relief. Six years later, we are significantly short on revenue again. How should we balance our budget this year? In each column rank your preferred “budget balancers” from 1-8, with 1 as your favorite option and 8 as least favorite.

SPENDING CUTS
Early childhood and K-12 Education
University of Minnesota and state colleges (higher tuition)
Public safety and crime prevention
Health care coverage for uninsured
Welfare/Nursing homes (80% of welfare goes to nursing homes)
Environmental protection and pollution control
State aid to local units of government (this will increase property taxes)
Tax incentives and credits for corporations
Other (Please Specify):  

REVENUE RAISERS
Across-the-board income tax increase
Income tax increase on wealthiest Minnesotans (those earning over $400,000 per year)
Broaden the sales tax to include services or additional items
Temporary tax surcharge with built-in expiration
Increase taxes on items like cigarettes & alcohol
Increase fines and fees for traffic violations and misdemeanor crimes
Borrow against next 20 years from one-time endowments
Increase fees for hunting, driving and other licenses
Sell state land or state parks to private developers
Other (Please Specify):  

2. In addition to balancing the budget, what should be the Legislature’s top priority? Please rank your top three.
Economy/Jobs
K-12 Education
Health Care Reform
Property Taxes
Public Safety
Higher Education
Agricultural Issues
Environmental Protection
Energy Reform
Other (Please Specify):  

3. Minnesota has lost 50,000 jobs last year and many economists predict that number might double in 2009. Given our state budget situation, which of these options do you support to create and keep good paying jobs in Minnesota? (Check as many as you support)
Invest in renewable energy technologies to bring “green jobs” to Minnesota
Use state bonding dollars to fund infrastructure and public works projects
Support research and development at state colleges and universities
Provide tax incentives to small businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers
Partner with the federal government to green light infrastructure projects
Other (Please Specify):  

4. What do you see as the major solutions for health care in Minnesota? (May check more than one)
Like car insurance, require all citizens to have health insurance
Create a joint purchasing pool for small businesses
Create incentives to attract and keep doctors in Rural Minnesota to preserve quality care
Focus on public health and prevention to bring costs down
Cover all Minnesota kids with health insurance
Create a state-sponsored single-payer system that covers all citizens
Nothing – let the market take its course
Other (Please Specify):  

5. Largely due to big property tax increases over the years, the majority of Minnesotans earning between $12,000 and $180,000 now pay a higher rate in total state and local taxes (income, property, gas, sales) than the wealthiest 5% of Minnesotans, those earning $180,000 or more. Should we reform our tax structure to be more balanced?
Yes
No

6. For the Courts would you rather:
Reduce the number of hours that court staff can assist the public and delay court appearances, therefore jeopardizing your right to a speedy trial
Alleviate some of the impact to court services by raising revenue

7. Provide any additional comments you’d like to share: