|
1. Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt
2. DFL Homecoming for Ron Erhardt
3. We Aren’t Lying – No New Taxes!
4. Tax the Rich and the Poor
5. Voice of Liberal Left Dies
1. Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt
With another legislative session about to start February 4, the prospect of state lawmakers putting Minnesota deeper in debt looms large.
The politicians will tell you the state constitution requires a balanced budget, that revenues must match expenditures. But like the Hertz rental car commercials… “Not exactly.”
What the politicians won’t tell you is that this provision is to prevent short-term borrowing, the “pay-day” loan variety of financing. The constitution doesn’t prevent state lawmakers from racking up billions of dollars in long-term debt to finance state construction projects.
To read more click here.
2. DFL Homecoming for Ron Erhardt
Defeated legislator, Ron Erhardt, who for 18 years represented Edina as a Republican in the Minnesota House, announced last week that he intends to seek the DFL endorsement in the hope of joining the liberal rank of legislators that support massive tax increases.
After acting as political turncoat in overriding Gov. Pawlenty’s veto of a transportation bill that increased the state’s gasoline tax in 2008, voters ousted him from office and rejected his subsequent run an independent.
Our guess is he will feel right at home within the DFL party.
You might want to help the current conservative office holder, Rep. Keith Downey, by visiting his website here.
To read more click here.
3. We Aren’t Lying – No New Taxes!
A recent Star Tribune article posed the question whether the state can balance its budget with budget reductions or if tax hikes will be necessary. In response, John Gunyou, finance commissioner for Gov. Arne Carlson, said, “Can you do it with cuts? Sure. I don’t think most people would be willing to live the results.” State Rep. Tom Rukavina, a DFL candidate for governor said, "Anybody saying you can do it with cuts -- on either side of the aisle -- is a liar or stupid."
It’s liberal melodrama from the likes of Gunyou and Rukavina that make fiscal responsibility sound like doomsday. However, if the state rolled back its spending to 2004-2005 levels, the budget deficit could be solved without massive tax increases or the rapture.
To read more click here.
4. Tax the Rich and the Poor
During an official campaign kickoff Monday, Mark Dayton said he would propose three new income tax tiers, ensuring the wealthy, middle-class, and poor all see tax hikes. He went on to define “wealthy” as households with annual income of $150,000.
Dayton also said he would consider supporting a Twin Cities casino to raise money in an effort to continue state government spending at an unstainable rate.
To read more click here.
5. Voice of Liberal Left Dies
Air America Radio, a radio network that was launched in 2004 as a liberal alternative to Rush Limbaugh, has shut its doors and filed for bankruptcy. Air America was once home to the liberal likes of Al Franken and Rachel Maddow, but struggled from the outset.
It looks like Senator Al Franken helped bankrupt Air America and now he has his sights on bankrupting America.
To read more click here. |
