LETTER: Is the Minnesota Legislature on a path to tax increases?

From State Rep. Ron Shimanski
District 18A, R-Hutchinson
The multitude of promises made by some candidates during the last election is starting to come back and haunt them at this point in the 2007 session. Even with a budget surplus of $2.16 billion, and the governor’s budget calling for a 9.3-percent increase in spending, some members of the Legislature are not going to be able to support initiatives to live within our means while keeping all the promises they made to their districts last fall.
Families in our district and across Minnesota are working and sacrificing every day to live within their means. Significant issues can be addressed without raising taxes or increasing spending, as many at the Capitol are beginning to think. Good budget plans have been proposed by both Gov. Pawlenty and House members that provide for reasonable, sustainable growth and effectively utilize available one-time dollars for Minnesota’s core priorities.
As we continue to hear bills coming through various committees, legislators have an obligation to constituents to consider, not only the importance of the policy, but the impact on the budget and what the state and citizens can afford.
We have come from a massive $4.5 billion deficit to a $2.2 billion surplus. Yet, it has already been confirmed by new House leadership that the pledged property tax rebate will not be possible this session, although relief is not a lost cause and may be dispersed in the form of increased local government aid and property tax breaks to special interest groups such as veterans and farmers.
Other promises are not so likely to be kept without tax increases, which have been a recent hot topic in St. Paul. There have been a number of recent proposals in the forms of gas tax, income tax, sales tax and beer and liquor tax increases, and the Governor has been reminding legislators of his “veto” authority.
We need to hold government accountable, set priorities and spend smarter. I agree with the governor when he said, “We should spend what we have, not what we want.” The initial exuberance and euphoria regarding the budget surplus is giving way to reality. Those members who stay true to their district and the state realize that spending into a deficit is not in the best interests of Minnesotans.
Our priorities can be addressed while spending within our means, and I for one will support the governor in his attempt to protect citizens from unnecessary tax increases.