The Right Message
By Mitch Berg
My radio colleague and now Represenative King Bauaian writes his constituents (with emphasis added by me):
Neighbor-
Gov. Mark Dayton today unveiled historic tax increases and the nation’s highest income-tax bracket as his means to setting Minnesota’s budget.
His plan calls for around $4 billion in tax increases; that’s approximately $4 in tax increases for every $1 in spending reductions. Our state would increase spending by 22 percent over current levels – to around $37 billion.
There would be two new tax brackets, including our top earners paying 13.95 percent – the highest income-tax rate in the country. It is supposed to be temporary, but many temporary taxes become permanent. The second new tier would be 10.95 percent, a mere .05 percent behind the nation’s current top late. The tax increases would begin for joint/married filers earning $150,000 a year combined.
We face a $6.2 billion budget shortfall and this is the wrong proposal to send Minnesotans; it keeps government spending on autopilot, which I campaigned against last fall and will continue to work to stop. We need to focus on reforming government to help us live within our means.
Sincerely,
King
There are a lot of GOP freshmen who need to send that same message. Clearly.
February 16th, 2011 at 9:00 am
A “temporary” tax increase. Like the “temporary” sales tax increase in Hennepin Cty to pay for the Twins ballpark. It’s paid for. The tax is still in place. Politicians still lie. The sun still rises in the East.
February 16th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Right “temporary tax”….pfft!! THERE’S NO SUCH THING!!
Like the “temporary” 3% sales of ’67 which has not grown to 6.875%. 43 years does seem kinda temporary…
Or the “temporary tax” on hotel-motes, and liquour by the drink for funding the Dome back in ’79 (paid off long, long ago). 22 years does seem kinda temporary..
Wait till the purse snatchers go for the juglar with a VAT. A4BM is doing adds now to soften the folks up to the next round of taxes. The govt workers unions are making the rounds at the capital trying to put the squeeze on the reps and pressure them to give the Madman what he wants in his budget. A curse on all those that acquiesce.