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1. A Step in the Right Direction
2. More Unnecessary Spending
3. Here a Tax, There a Tax
4. Santa Claus the Capitalist!
5. Merry Christmas
1. A Step in the Right Direction
Governor Pawlenty announced last Friday the first step in balancing the $426 million current budget deficit facing the state ofMinnesota. In times of budget deficits, the Governor is allowed to reduce current state spending items where he sees fit.
Just like Minnesota's families and businesses, elected officials must reign in unnecessary spending during tough economic times. Since the state legislature didn't do this last year, but instead allowed spending to continue to grow, Governor Pawlenty is doing it for them. We applaud the Governor for taking this step in the right direction. We look forward to seeing more steps towards government spending reform as the next legislative session begins on January 6th.
2. More Unnecessary Spending
The Minneapolis City Council doesn't seem to understand that we're in an economic downturn. They unveiled their plan to spend $5.3 million to install a new "green" roof on the Target Center. Although theTargetCenterdoes need a new roof, a green roof costs twice as much as a conventional roof. Haven't they heard that the state is facing a massive budget deficit and that their Local Government Aid check may not be headed their way?
This is just one more example of poor local government spending habits. If you would like to hold your city or county government accountable for what they spend your taxes on, start a local taxpayer watchdog group today.
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for more information and we'll help you get started!
And be sure to readPhil Krinkie's column on the "green roof" and Local Government Aid.
3. Thank You Governor Pawlenty
We should be very thankful that Governor Pawlenty wants to use the $5.2 billion budget deficit to reform government and not place more of a burden on the backs of taxpayers. That is not the case in New York!
New York Governor David Peterson proposed to fix his state's budget deficit problem by calling for dozens of new or increased taxes and fees. It seems everything is being taxed from iPod taxes to non-diet pop taxes to haircut taxes.
While Governor Pawlenty is leading our budget and tax reform effort, at least 42 other states are facing budget shortfalls according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. It will be interesting to see if other state's leaders are keeping the taxpayers wallet in mind instead of going straight for the tax increases.
Let's hope the Governor gets a new veto pen for Christmas, because you can be sure our state legislature will have their own tax and fee wish list ready come January 6th!
4. Santa Claus the Capitalist!
In the spirit of Christmas, we'd like to highlight an article on Santa Claus' political ideology. Craig Westover, policy fellow for the Minnesota Free Market Institute, writes that Santa is indeed a good capitalist! Here's an excerpt:
"What I don't do," Santa added, "is send a sleigh full of toys to the Department of Health and Human Services where some bureaucrat can distribute them according to a formula intended to 'spread the toys around.' I don't want to see my toys in the hands of kids who cry and pout when they don't get what they wish for — whether it's a shiny light rail train set or 'Let's Play Hockey Arena Construction Kit."
To read Craig's entire "interview" with St. Nic, click here.
5. Merry Christmas
We would like to say, "Merry Christmas" to all of our dedicated eUpdate readers. Thank you for your support of the Taxpayers League this year. May you have a wonderful Christmas filled family, friends, and much joy! |
