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Taxpayers League of Minnesota eUpdate
1. Taxpayers League Live! with David Strom.
2. Does it feel like government is taking less of your money?
3. You’re going to make me give you free stuff, aren’t you?
4. Taxpayers League holds their first Candidate Forum.
1. Taxpayers League Live! with David Strom.
Tune in this Saturday to AM 1280 The Patriot from 9 – 11 am when David will be joined by Chris Phelan and King Banaian. Phelan, a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota and an advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will stop by during the first hour to talk about the legacy of Milton Friedman. Banaian, a professor at St. Cloud State and blogger (not one of those crazy just-because-I-can-cut-and-paste-somebody-else’s-commentary-and-then-insert-my-own-snarky-comments-makes-me-special-and-important kind, but the kind that can intelligently discuss politics, economics and the crippling of the NBA) at SCSU Scholars, will join David during the second hour to talk about Wisconsin’s universal healthcare bill.
2. Minnesota’s “Price of Government” is dropping. But who cares?
This is the definition of the “Price of Government” (PoG) from the Minnesota Department of Finance’s Minnesota State Budget page:
“In broad terms, the PoG is a measure of all general government services statewide. It answers the question: How much do Minnesotans pay to state and local governments in total? The PoG measures that cost for each fiscal year relative to Minnesota Personal Income. The result is stated as a percentage of statewide personal income. For calendar year 2006, fiscal year 2007, it is estimated at 16.4%. In other words, for every dollar of Minnesota taxpayers personal income, 16.4 cents will be paid to state, county, township and school districts for services during that year” (there’s a nifty chart to look at if you click on the link above).
So, PoG is the percentage of our personal incomes that gets sucked up by the state. Maybe you’re employed and already paying your 16.4% but decide you want to take on a second job. Do you get a break on the second income? Of course not. And while it is good news that by 2010 Minnesota’s PoG is projected to drop to 15.7%. The bad news (government spending wise) is that state revenues will continue to rise. Even though in real numbers 15.7 is less than 16.4, by the time 2010 rolls around, that 15.7 will most likely yield more state revenue than today’s 16.4. PoG is a faulty indicator of what government is costing us because it is a measurement of two unrelated numbers. What possible relationship does our combined income have with what we spend on government services? Why should our tax burden rise when our personal incomes rise? Let this should serve as a warning to all Minnesotans as to why we need to fight any legislative proposal that locks in a PoG for the state. A low PoG “introductory offer” may sound like a good thing, but who says the state is entitled to a set percentage of your income?
3. If that’s what it takes to get State Fair volunteers, fine.
I’ve got your free stuff right here (I’m balling my fist and shaking it at you). I won’t lie. Volunteering at the Taxpayers League booth at the State Fair is hard work. Not hard like having to mow the lawn when it’s so hot even the dog doesn’t want to go outside. But hard like having to justify your political and economic beliefs to people who have no idea that government takes 16.4% percent of every dollar you make, they’re just happy a Twins stadium is being built. But that’s why we need you at the State Fair with us. To help educate your fellow man and to let them know there’s a special interest group out there that represents them. Reply to this email or give me a call at (651) 294-3590 ext 204 and sign up for a shift at the State Fair. The Greens and periblepsis-prone Sierra Clubers will be there. Where will you be?
4. On the road in beautiful Zumbro Falls, MN.
Last Wednesday, the Taxpayers League held their first Candidate Forum for the candidates running to replace Steve Sviggum in district 28B. Republican Steve Drazkowski and Democrat Linda Pfeilsticker were both invited to attend. But as the KTTC Rochester news coverage shows (click on the little red camera above the picture), only one candidate had anything to say about taxes and spending to the folks at the VFW in Zumbro Falls. Said Phil Krinkie, moderator the Candidate Forum, “I can understand that the Pfeilsticker campaign thought they had other priorities, but in special election with so little time to talk to voters it would have been helpful if both candidates would have been on hand to answer questions.”
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota's E Update is written by Mark Giga
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