April 23, 2007
DFLers in the Minnesota House have released the details of their tax bill. The bill increases taxes on Minnesota's highest earners and uses the money to give homeowners a property tax break. The governor has made no secret of his plans to veto a tax increase. Some lawmakers are indicating that they may be willing to drop the income tax proposal but want the governor to find some other form of revenue for property tax relief.
St. Paul, Minn. — House Taxes Committee Chair Ann Lenczewski, a DFLer from Bloomington, says her bill would provide direct property tax relief for 90 percent of Minnesota homeowners. She says she would pay for the package by increasing income taxes on married joint filers earning more than $400,000 a year and for single filers making more than $226,000 a year. She says her proposal would create a fairer tax system since wealthier Minnesotans pay a smaller portion of their income in taxes than middle class Minnesotans.
The House and Senate both want to raise income taxes on high earners. Lenzcewski says it's possible that they may drop the income tax proposal, but she says Gov. Pawlenty has to find some other revenue to pay for some form of property tax relief.
4.23.2007
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MPR: House DFLers unveil tax bill |
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MPR: Minn. Senate votes to raise income taxes on highest-paid |
"The Minnesota Senate has approved a nearly $1 billion income tax increase that would make the state's top bracket the highest in the nation. Lawmakers voted 35 to 29 Saturday to pass the DFL-backed measure which also provides funding for public schools, early childhood education and state colleges and universities. But Republicans promise the bill will never get past Gov. Pawlenty and his veto pen.
St. Paul, Minn. — The DFL-controlled Senate had already passed a tax bill and an education funding bill last week. But senators were back at the Capitol on Saturday debating both issues a second time.
DFL leaders tucked a new income tax plan in a new education bill that would provide families with money to enroll kids in early childhood programs. The basic school funding formula would grow by 2 percent each of the next two years, and more money would go to higher education with the hope of holding down college tuition costs.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/31/taxes/
1.19.2007
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Stop Politicians from Spending the Budget Surplus |
Join the Tax Cut Coalition Today!!
Sign Up HERE
About the easiest thing for a Minnesota politician to be is compassionate with someone else's money---usually yours! So as the leaders of the Census Bureau's 6th highest per capita tax state gather at the Capitol to once again bust any parameters on limited government and fiscal responsibility, it's time for the peasants to grab the pitchforks and declare loud and clear, "Not this time you don't!"
Remember, the last biennial budget went up a whopping 12.4%. It now totals $32 billion dollars, almost doubling over the last decade. How is it Wisconsin has 400,000 more people yet spends less that Minnesota? I'll tell you how, from Arne Carlson to Jesse Ventura to Tim Pawlenty, too many governors have capitulated to liberal legislators (and their cheerleaders in the media) intent on spending the over collection of taxes called budget surpluses. And now, with a DFL dominated legislature totally divorced from any fiscal reality, they're set to spend the surplus again---only this time it's in the billions!
Of course, the "progressives" (as they now refer to themselves) disguise their government greed with some bemusing tactics, such as the spurious claim that adjusted for inflation, Minnesota's general fund isn't actually large enough at $32 billion per biennium. Hmm…interesting inflation calculator they've got there. Going back a decade and using the Federal Reserve's online version and this budget has far outstripped the general increase in the price of goods and services. Not even close.
Chief Justice, John Marshall once said, "the power to tax is the power to destroy." By putting the government budget ahead of the family budget, these career politicians have caused undue hardship for the average Minnesota household (dare we include the 'children' too?). And there is only one way to stop it: permanent tax reduction. In fact, the only way to combat the spender's special interest lobbies is to reduce the amount of taxpayer funded goodies they're able to hand out-year in and year out. It is after all, your money.
Let me urge you to join Minnesota's Tax Cut Coalition today by signing the petition below. And by registering you can even choose the state tax cut you think would be most beneficial to you and your family. Our website will keep a running tally of your vote and we here at KTLK will keep you updated on our progress. Once all the signatures are collected and your selections registered, you and I will officially present this petition for tax relief to the Governor and leaders of the Legislature on the steps of the capitol on Saturday April 14th, 2007 at noon! That's right, this whole effort will culminate in a massive Tax Cut Rally in St. Paul. So join today and stay tuned to the Jason Lewis Show on 100.3 KTLK FM for all the latest details on what is sure to be THE political event of 2007.
Jason Lewis
KTLK FM News Talk 100.3 Minnesota
