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1. Time to Put State Government on a Diet
2. Speaking of State Government Budgets…
3. Despite Home Values Decreasing Property Taxes Increasing
4. School Boards must also Live Within Their Means
5. This Christmas, Consider a Gift to your Wallet
1. Time to Put State Government on a Diet
The state budget deficit numbers are out, and it’s not pretty. Projections say the state is facing a $5.2 billion budget shortfall. That’s roughly $2,000 for every Minnesota taxpayer. Considering the Legislature’s actions last session (raising taxes by $800 million in one year), we doubt the Legislature this year will be able to even think about balancing the budget without raising taxes.
But that won’t stop us from fighting to protect your wallet. With the economy in a recession, now is not the time to raise taxes to solve the budget crisis. We’ll be fighting for real reform in the state budgeting process: putting state government on a diet.
2. Speaking of State Government Budgets…
Minnesota has one of the largest budget shortfalls in the country, but it’s not the only state facing one. State budgets as a whole are facing $97 billion in shortages. It’s good that many states are cutting spending in order to fix these problems, seeing as that’s what Americans have had to do with their own budgets.
However, the National Taxpayers Union is keeping a list of Governors who have called out for federal bailout of their states. And why shouldn’t they? As NTU’s Joshua Culling says, “Why control your spending addictions when you can get free money from the feds?”
Luckily Governor Pawlenty isn’t one of those governors. In regards to Minnesota’s budget deficit, he said, “This historic budget deficit will be a challenge, but it will also be a further opportunity to reform, prioritize, streamline and shrink state government, not add to the burden on Minnesotans by raising their taxes.”
3. Despite Home Values Decreasing Property Taxes Increasing
This Sunday’s Star Tribune noted that Anoka County property taxes are decreasing, but the story highlights how actual property taxes are increasing due to other tax levies, including local school district referendums, being added.
Many people are confused why their property taxes are going up while home valuations are going down. It's simple: local governments have become as bad as the state and federal governments, with bloated spending on unnecessary projects. Don't forget to hold your elected city council and county commissioners accountable on their tax and spending ways! Visit your city and county government websites to attend “Truth in Taxation” hearings.
4. School Boards must also Live Within Their Means
With the recession and a $5.2 billion budget shortfall, will school districts cut spending to live within their means? School boards must soon decide on and sign teacher contracts for the 2009-2010 school year. They now know that the state government is facing this massive budget problem. Contact your school district. Warn them about signing contracts they can’t afford under the assumption they can do hard ball lobbying and make Minnesota taxpayers bail them out.
5. This Christmas, Consider a Gift for Yourself
The Taxpayers League fights to protect your wallet every day by fighting for lower taxes, limited government, and free markets. We rely solely on donations from businesses and individuals. Please consider joining us in this fight with a year-end donation to the League by clicking on the “donate tab” at the top right. We promise it’s the hardest-working donation you’ll make!
Donations to the League are mostly tax-deductible for business contributions. Because of its lobbying efforts, individual donations are not tax-deductible. Donations may also be mailed to our address: PO Box 120449, St. Paul, MN 55112.
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