General State Budget
Readers suggested that we create a space for people to propose budget ideas that do not neatly fit into one of the existing budget categories. This area can be a space for you to think creatively about budget ideas that impact more than one traditional budget area.
If, however, you have a list of ideas that would fit within the other budget articles, your ideas would have more impact if you made multiple entries in multiple categories. Each of the other budget articles in this website relate directly to a Senate Budget Division committee, and the ideas posted in those articles are specifically brought to the attention of the Senators who serve on those committees.
Feel free to reference research you have read or similar ideas being enacted in other states. These citations will help the committees prepare effective legislation.
Thank you for your ideas!
VADNAIS HEIGHTS
January 27th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I suggest making a new pack with the tribes that allows them to add games like roulette and craps in exchange for a piece of the pie.
Inver Grove Heights
January 28th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Sell the Governor’s Residence. It is a black hole that costs more than it’s worth, and it’s sale would affect far fewer that that of the zoo or the airport.
Also, sounds small, but try leasing out fifth floor ofthe Vets Service Building to a restaurant. It’s views are unparalleled , and it would be a huge hit, espercially during Session and the summer months when themall is so beautiful.
Lastly, itf there is a wage freeze or cut, or direct action against employees, lets see the Governor lead by doing no less to his salary, and no more trips, either. In an age of technology, why does he ever have to travel??
Inver Grove Heights
January 28th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Any people who still can afford to sit down at the kitchen table (since so many need to work two or three jobs like we do in my household, always have to consider revenue as well as spending, so put taxes into the mix as a REQUIREMENT. Also, let’s stop this foolishness of not counting inflation in spending, especially if we cut it in revenue. Counting inflation doesn’t guarantee increased spending, only budget deficits!!!
Hastings
January 28th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Why not buy all the sen. a scaf from USA Blanket and wear it around the capital like a certain radio reporter dose. The scaf is made in the USA, and would show up better than a little flag lapel that most likely was made in China.
If we keep taking money away fro the consumer they won’t buy products and we will continue this downward spirial. Give the Minn. tax payer money and I’m sure they will spend it on goods and services that will create jobs.
Rosemount
January 28th, 2009 at 8:22 am
We would be wise to follow the lead of our new President. The top of the tax bracket has enjoyed the policies of an administration the last 8 years that has rewarded them richly. The rest of us have tried to catch a few crumbs.
Our economic crisis should be shared proportionately. Those with the most, sacrifice the most. Those with the least, sacrifice the least.
When times where good we were told to give big business tax breaks so they do business here. Now that times are bad, we are told to give big business tax breaks, so they don’t move away from here. WHEN DO THEY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
Blaine
January 28th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Regarding Pawlenty’s budget balancing proposals, I know that it will be difficult to get a balanced budget and that it cannot happen without shared pain. But, the “No new taxes” pledge is a worn out phrase that has no place in a situation where everything is on the table. Business/corporate Minnesota needs to share the pain along with individuals. Reducing business/corporate taxes will do little, if anything, to restore the lost jobs and reduced hours that produced the missing tax dollars. In effect, business/corporations have a built-in tax cut mechanism because they can lay off worker and/or reduce workers’ hours to react to lessing demand and to balance their budgets. Providing tax cuts to a sector of the economy that already fails to pay its fair share (note: recent media reports that most businesses pay little in taxes and one-in-five pay no taxes), is irresponsible. Pawlenty is probably grandstanding for his run for President in 2012, and tax cuts to businesses and corporations will not bring more jobs to Minnesota. Minnesota attracts businesses precisely because we have a better quality of life here due, in part, to higher levels of government services. Although there will be plenty of criticism from those who still believe that “trickle down economics” is a valid theory, the recent past has shown that laissea faire isn’t fair, nor does it work. Government must keep a lid on businesses and market driven decision making that does not seem to take into consideration all the consequences of those decisions.
Apple Valley
January 28th, 2009 at 9:35 am
The state should allow expansion of off-track horse betting to outstate sites. As it stands now, only people living close to Shakopee or the Running Aces track have access to this entertainment. More sites would help increase purses at the two tracks, thereby benefitting the Mn horse industry, and would increase tax revenue for the state.
Richfield
January 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I agree that we will have to bring in more revenue to help to save us economically. I have looked at the budget and once again all the services to our citizens and the environment have been once again cut. As far as I can tell we have had 6 years of constant cuts and yearly raises on our property taxes to help with city funds cut.
I am outraged to see that (according to the states pie chart) 46.4% of MN revenue comes from Individual Income Taxes and 27.8% from Sales Tax. That means that 74.2% of all revenue comes from the private citizens of MN. On the other hand we collect only 5.6% from corporate taxes. It is time that the corporations in MN start paying what the citizens pay. This is an outrage. It is time to cut the tax breaks to the corporations rather than the peoples services. We can no longer afford the excess spending of the corporations because they do not have to pay taxes. It is time for accountablility from corporations and our elected officials. I will be following what you decide to do. And judging you for your decisions.
Marshall
January 28th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Todd Laumer and Dennis Rogers said it above as well as I can do: taxes need to be charged based on income level and not cut for the richest Minnesotans. Corporations should not get huge tax breaks when, in a pinch, they pull back and lay off thousands of Minnesotans at Target, Home Depot, Best Buy and more, while education jobs are also in peril under next year’s budget proposal by Pawlenty. It is to be hoped that our state legislators will not stand for it, and that a budget that benefits those neediest in the state will be passed.
Richfield
January 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am
If any fair budget is going to be passed, it absolutely has to be made clear to Pawlenty and the Republican leadership, prior to the beginning of the negotiation process, that the politics of retribution have to stop. The last time any Republican legislators voted in accordance with the will of their constituents but against the governor’s wishes on a tax issue, they were turned on by their party and forced out of office. This cannot, and must not, be a factor in budget negotiations, as Republican legislators will not even want to be seen as willing to consider compromise if they know that it will cost them their jobs.
Minneapolis
January 28th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I worked at Mystic Lake Casino for seven years. I was fired without a reason last May, and spent the next 7 months on unemployment. I now have a new job and am going to college.
Why should tribal casinos still allow secondhand smoke and fire employees when their pay has gone up “too much?”
It is time to ignore the tribal lobbyists and political donations. It is time for a state-run casino that gives its workers Constitutional rights and an environment without second-hand smoke.
Carver
January 28th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
It is time that raising taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans can no longer be pushed off the table. Pawlenty continues to pad the way for the rich while trying to balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and poor. This is NOT FAIR!
And, why in the world would he try to give companies a 50% cut in their taxes. Another Republican “golden parachute” give away. Who will make up that revenue shortfall?
We know the answer -> hard working Minnesotans, while Pawlenty flies himself and his wife off to Israel on our tax dollars. WOW, I sure wish I could have my share of the tax dollars that were spent on that. I’ve been unemployed for over a year and I can’t afford to buy a ticket to the movies. ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVEABLE.
Democrats MUST NOT back down to Pawlenty. Take a STAND for hardworking Minnesotans, no matter how long it takes to resolve this budget. Know that we are behind you.
Oakdale
January 28th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I was recently hired by the State of MN and am concerned about being laid off from my dream job. Firing the future leaders of our state agencies is the worst possible solution to our budget crisis. We may not have seniority, but we do have the energy, motivation, vision, and technical skills it takes to lead our agencies to a more efficient future. We “youngsters” don’t have the baggage the “old timers” do. We have not burned our bridges, made enemies, or gone back on our word. This allows us to easily work hand in hand with other agencies. I am not advocating the firing of our seasoned staff members, but buying them out is a viable option. Pay them more to retire now and save the state money in the future. Our senior state employees deserve to be taken care of, but not at the expense of the future. I would much rather have no layoffs or buyouts, but one option is better than the other.
edina
January 28th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Sell all the govet own PARKING LOTS And ramps at the Capitol and UM TAXPAYERS should not have to pay for shuttles and buses when METROTRANSIT is operating .
Mankato
January 28th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
First off no more money to wall street, Like I told you all before gave everyone making lest then 100.000.00 a year a 250,000.00 check to pay off there home morgage and bills. Rest will come back into local area. Rich get richer the poor get poorer. Stop helping the rich they get all the tax brakes. Oil company,E85,farmer’s.electric company’s stop with tax break’s. I’m also tired of Homestead tax going up everytime school need’s more money for retired plan or teacher. Put the money where it belong’s to our kid’s. I’m tired of politation playing politics, get the job done and do it for the middle class not the rich. Thank you very much.
Minnetonka
January 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
To whom it may concern,
Governor Pawlenty proposed cutting family-planning funding more than 19%, which totals $2 million in the next two years. This program serves approximately 27,000 low-income women across the state of Minnesota who are probably hardest hit by our economic crisis. Sixty percent of women in need of family planning services would not receive them if it were not for public funding, and for every $1 spent on the Family Planning and Special Projects program, the state saves $4. This means that the $2 million dollar cut Governor Pawlenty proposes will actually cost the state $8 million dollars.
The legislature needs to fully fund family planning and sex education. This is extremely important to me and to many women and voters throughout Minnesota. Thank you.
Kaia Peters
Oakdale
January 28th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
It is time to get real and tax more fully those most able to pay those taxes, the wealthy. It is not time to reduce taxes on the rich nor to reduce corporate taxes. We have far too many people either homeless or struggling to keep their homes. We have far too many people without jobs or underemployed. We have far too many people without health insurance or underinsured. I have in my 58 years of life never seen our economy so bad. Keep in mind that when we refer to our economy we are talking about real people. There is great wealth in this state and nation that for far too long has prospered under the call for, “No new taxes.” At the same time tremendous suffering is being made worse as we continue to take away one safety net after another. This has to stop and now is the time. Please fund education so that we can provide for our most important natural resource, our children and then they can obtain good jobs and return the favor to our state when they pay their taxes because they are able to hold a good paying job with appropriate insurance to provide for their families.
Robbinsdale
January 28th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Good Day Law Makers,
It is my understanding that there is a proposed cut by two million in family planing and sex education. I have learned that such a cut will in the long run actually will COST the state 8 million - what type of tax cut do you call that. Lets get our thinking straight! When a cut cost more than the cut - to me is NOT a cut. Say No to any cuts in family planning and sex education.
Savage
January 29th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Open a State Owned Casino. There is no reason not to.
New Ulm
January 30th, 2009 at 9:55 am
When the state’s budget is in peril one of the areas that always gets placed on the cut list is the employees that work for the state of Minnesota. If it’s not wage freezes, more out of the pocket expenses, layoff’s, now the proposal is to take away our present retirement package. We as the people of Minnesota voted the legislators in to make decisions for the best of the people. Our Governor is suppose to do the same fairly. So why through the years do we continue to waste money on irresponsible spending and hitting the middle to lower class areas. I have seen the state employees on wage freezes yet the capital building got wage increases the same year. Is the governor and the legistlators planning on cutting/elimating their benefits when they are done with their term? It would probably assist our budget greatly, but they always seem to protect their interests. The budget situation should not be subjected to an area of people struggling already. Whether it is the state employees, the insurance programs for those who have not, it should be pro-rated out according to income so the rich stop getting the breaks while the middle and lower class lined the road for them.
Minneapolis
January 30th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I would like to contribute a sizable amount of money to help with the State’s financial crisis by buying back the stained glass windows which came from my home. The windows were donated to the Mn Historical Society by the Ted Menzel estate more than 30 years ago. At the moment, the windows are propped up against a sub floor wall in one of the lower levels of the Historical Society’s vaults in St. Paul.
Thankyou.
Tony Guscetti
Shakopee
January 30th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Minnesota State Senators,
I would like to suggest the following ideas for our budget shortfall.
1. Identify the Needs vs. the Wants.
There are a number of items that we all need every day from our government. Some examples are: Police, Fire, Road Maintenance, Travel Resources, Safe Food and Water supplies, etc. There are things that are nice to have. Some examples are: Park Expansion, Beautification Projects, New Departments in Government, More public Services, etc. In a time when Minnesotans are doing this exercise, it only makes sense that our Government does the same!
2. Pace the growth of government services and budgets with the growth or shrinkage of our population.
It does not make sense that our budget growth outpaces the population growth. By definition, this is not sustainable as the funding source is not growing at the same speed. Although, there is a point of diminishing returns on quality of life contributions in government’s role in our lives, I believe it is being ignored.
3. Determine the best way to grow revenues. Capitol Turns vs. Marginal increases.
All to often, government’s solution is to increase levies, taxes, and service fees. The often overlooked approach is increasing Capitol Turns. Look to Wal-Mart for an example. Wal-Mart has been stable or grown despite the current economic downturn because they focus on ways to increase their unit sales and not how to increase revenue on same item sales. The State of Minnesota has taken the increase Margin approach and has not increased the client base. This has a twofold impact. It exposes the state to risk in the event that the relatively small revenue base has a fiscal down turn, there are not other sources of revenue to make up for it. A fiscally diverse state can draw on industries that are doing better than others and reduce the pain of a down turn.
4. Put on the Earmuffs!
There is a lot of noise out there when it comes to budget decisions. Everyone has their hand out without looking first at themselves and seeing where they can make changes. Examples are the city governments scaring people into thinking the first cuts are in Public Safety. Any Mayor that first cuts Public Safety is not fit for office and should be forcibly removed. I would support closing a park or two before removing Police or Fire services. This goes back to the Needs vs. Wants discussion. Maybe they need to be creative. Instead of paying for park cleaning services, organize Adopt a Park programs to have the community members help maintain the parks. If the resource is truly important to the residents, then they will feel it is important to maintain them and will help out. If not, I believe it speaks highly about the value of that resource.
5. Work together, not apart.
In this age of “Post Partisan” politics, too often one side says work together and really means, “Our way or the Highway!” DO NOT let this be the case in Minnesota. We all have the same goal in mind, “Do what is best for Minnesota to Keep us Safe and Prosperous”. We all have different ways to get there. It is OK to be wrong, or for your idea not to be used. Have LOGIC based discussions. Work out what a decision will do not just immediately, but 1, 2, 5, 10 years down the road. Do not be short sided, but look out past the end of your term.
In closing, the decisions you make today will impact us all for many decades to come. Do not let your emotions overrun your logic. Be open to outside opinions, and DO NOT pay lip service in the process.
Whether you realize it or not, you represent all Minnesotans, not just the ones who voted for you.
Sincerely,
Bradley J Johnson
Shakopee, MN
Minneapolis
January 30th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I think Minnesota should be “business-friendly.” But continued tax breaks are not the way to do this. Mr. Pawlenty’s approach to taxes attracts short-sighted firms that will leave as soon as some other state makes a better offer — a race to the bottom.
Making the state a place where “the best and brightest” want to live will work better. Above-average social services, educational opportunities, health care and public transportation all attract the well-managed, socially responsible businesses we want. And these businesses tend to stick around!
Middle River
January 30th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I have noticed comments that have recommended opening a state casino. One “state casino” located in Mpls/St.Paul would be beneficial, but why not spread that benefit to communities across the state. An opportunity exists to move beyond “pull tabs”, scratch games and the state lottery. Allowing “local casinos” in the same businesses that already have the games of chance identified above could benefit the state budget deficit, the “local economies” and the businesses supporting these activities. We currently have Native American casinos that dot the landscape of our state (i.e. 60 to 90 miles apart). We also have neighboring states (i.e. South Dakota and Wisconsin) that benefit from these forms of business/entertainment. How does MN differ in morality from the other states that have adopted these revenue opportunities. The answer to me is we do not differ from our neighbors. The “density” of the Native American casinos and usage of these casinos by the MN population reflects our societal acceptance. I would rather see the state of MN leverage these revenue opportunities (to fund our deficit) than sacrifice our investments in education, maintenance of safe roads/bridges, and other critical social services.
Plymouth
January 31st, 2009 at 9:30 am
I do not have specific citations, but from a research standpoint, I would be inclined to see what was (or was not) successful in this state/other states in the past during similar conditions.
Budgeting and finance are components of an MBA or an MPA degree (probably other courses as well). Why don’t you engage current students in Minnesota in these program to research and provide solutions for these budgetary issues? It would dovetail perfectly with their studies. If there is confidential information involved, have them sign non-disclosure forms. Assign a group to each committee etc.
However, you would probably have to provide them with a lot more information beyond a couple of spending graphics and spreadsheets with very round numbers. If I had to undergo a similar process either at home or in my workplace, I would begin with much better data. Better data generally leads to better decisions.
minneapolis
January 31st, 2009 at 10:53 am
Since MN DHS has the most cuts, let’s remove excess rather than cut services
Implement an across the board incremental salary reduction between 5-10% on all state and county employees earning more than 90,000.
1) Remove all the new “workforce planning” positions required by the governor. People are not retiring and the state still gets good applicants without their efforts.
2) Combine pandemic planning with safety programs instead of having a separate director.
3) Emergency planning should be done by IT not by a separate director in HR because it involves document preservation, working from home etc.
4) 10 new human resources MANAGER positions were created in 6 months. DHS is reducing employees, get rid of these positions.Review the need for analysts, business analysts. Retrain some administrative staff to take on more responsibilities. Now a days, an executive assistant should at least know how to use basic computer programs, let’s retrain them.
5) MSOP has a CEO, and a Deputy CEO–not necessary. MSOP was spun off from SOS and these are two positions were newly created for “political appointees”. These duties used to be handled by the CEO of SOS. Return to less layers and combined services.
6)Get rid of the state pension plan, institute a 403B or 401k plan for ALL employees. That is a time bomb waiting to happen. Give those already on the pension plan a one time lump sum and transfer all employees to a self directed contribution plan.
7) Reign in county health and human services worker salaries. Keep them more in line with non-profit salaries. County salaries are higher than private, non-profit and state salaries. Add in benefits and they are twice higher.
9) DHS has several doctors and psychiatrists working on contract. They come in for 25 minutes, sign some papers and then charge the state for 2 hours.
10) The DHS health director works many hours at Children’s hospital but does not reduce his hours on the state clock–double dipping.
11) The Commissioner’s assistant makes a shocking hourly rate for basically managing his schedule. Everything else is done by someone else.
12) Look at the top management of DHS, don’t penalize the non managerial employees who are the most enthusiastic, creative and hardworking of all.
13) Some old time state employees order special pens, planners etc that cost over 25 dollars a piece–a pen is a pen. Is this necessary???
Let’s cut waste across the board and then look at programs that can be cut. Invest in a good computer program to track functions to avoid duplication.
Plymouth
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 am
It is high time that taxes on the wealthiest in our state be raised. Even some of those people have suggested they should be paying more taxes. Certainly those with incomes of $500,000 or more or those with net worth of over one million should be paying higher taxes. These people continually are able to find loopholes and deductions that the lower income people do not have and thus pay less taxes percentage-wise. In addition, to cut business taxes at this point is ludicrous. Giving businesses a break in taxes does nothing for the economy if people do not have the income to buy their goods and services. This is the hackneyed old supply side economics which put us in this messs to begin with. People need work and more disposable income in order to buy the services business has to offer. Cutting business taxes does absolutely nothing to that end.
Duluth
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
From someone on unemployment:
Here’s a suggestion for the state budget that doesn’t cost the tax payer anything…allow people on unemployment to be able to earn up to $200/week without affecting their UI. What UI people would be able to do is pay income taxes on that money (adding to the state budget), be able to pay the bills and help keep their homes, as well as continue to be active consumers, which is what this economy needs, people consuming goods. Also, it keeps the resume active, making unemployed people more attractive to potential employers while adding job experience. Currently, the first dollar earned while on UI results in a 55 cent decrease of the benefit. Allowing people on UI to be able to supplement their UI while looking for a living wage job benefits everyone.
Blaine
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 am
I would like to call to your attention the financial benefits that the State of Minnesota could realize if they legalized all consumer fireworks (1.4g) as opposed to the current ground-based type of fireworks that are allowed in Minnesota.
There is a potential of millions of dollars of sales tax revenue that could be used to reduce the projected state deficit should all consumer fireworks be legal in our state.
A Minnesota Dept. of Revenue analysis of H.F. 1543 in the 2002-2003 legislative session estimated that the revenue gain from the legalization of all consumer fireworks would be in excess of $1 million annually. These numbers are already low as it did not take into account the recent increase in the state sales tax.
However, I feel this fiscal analysis was flawed and UNDERSTATED the potential revenue stream. It’s estimated that Wisconsin generates approx. $2.5 Million annually in sales tax revenue from the sale of fireworks. This is off of a 5-5.5% sales tax rate. Indiana generates a bit more at approx. $3.5 Million annually. Indiana ALSO has a 5% user fee for fireworks sales and that generated $2.56 Million for FY2008. In total, Indiana’s total revenue gain (from fireworks sales) for FY 2008 was $6.14 million dollars!
Indiana dedicates the revenue from the 5% user fee to various public safety/fire fighting programs.
By using these numbers, I think Minnesota could generate $4-5 Million dollars annually from the sale of fireworks.
The American Pyrotechnics Association estimates that the 2007 U.S. fireworks industry revenue at approximately $930 million.
Why should Minnesota let South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin reap the financial benefits of the sale and use of consumer fireworks?
Indiana also incorporated penalties for people who misuse (recklessly/intentionally) fireworks and for minors who possess fireworks, outside of when adults are present.
thanks
Princeton
February 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
First off the governor does not need a plane to fly over all Minnesota to tell the press of his proposals. Why does he need a communications director? Can’t he think of something to say by himself?
Taxes need to be raised instead of cutting programs for the poor and children that are un-insured. Education is our future-fund our future.
The future is in the internet for schools and education. We need online classes for GED, college courses etc.
St Paul
February 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
We are talking about a BUDGET here. A budget is nothing more than a plan for using the financial resources available. If those resources are not available, then planning for the disbursement of those resources needs to adjust.
I’m not getting a raise this year. In fact, my income will go down unless some things improve significantly. Yet I hear many liberals crying out for an increase in revenues for the state to solve its budget woes … clearly that means an increase in taxes. My complaint is, if I’m not getting an increase, why should the state since their increase has to come out of my pocket. My resources are dwindling, as it is for many and perhaps most Minnesotans. If I must cut back to handle the reduction in my income, then why should the state be allowed to increase their income by taking more from me. There has been a lot of complaining about Wall Street and Corporate greed over the last year, but I tell you, their greed is nothing compared to politicians in state and federal government. Government is the MOST inefficient purveyor of services ever created.
Here’s my plan. Work with what you have, just like I have to. If you don’t have enough to fill your BUDGET, then make cuts. Period. Get efficient. I’ve heard it said that over 1/3 of the working force is employed by government. Lay off half of them … the lazy inefficient ones and let them go do something productive. I read a lot of complaints about the governors staff, what about the do nothings who fill the thousands of administrative jobs in government? I’m certain that efficiencies could reduce that work force and free up millions in salaries.
And for Pete’s sake, don’t raise taxes. I already have less to work with, why should the state have more, leaving me with even less. I have to suck it up, so should the state.
Have the back bone to make those cutting decisions. My wife and I have to make them.
I have to suck it up, so should the state.
Apple Valley
February 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
My concern about the State Budget from a macro standpoint is that it appears to me that the imbalance between revenue and expenditures is probably going to exist for years to come unless some major, basic changes are made to either the expenditures side or the revenues side of the equation. The imbalance that occurred earlier this decade was only a forecast of what was to come. I believe that the problem started when the marginal income tax rates were reduced in the late nineties and the license tab fees were cut dramatically. If we as Minnesotans wish to continue to enjoy the benefits of state government services, we should expect to pay for them. One time fund transfers that only fix one budget period are not the answer. Robbing the tobacco settlement monies shouldn’t be an answer because those funds are supposed to be dedicated to specific purposes, and are not general funds. Depriving cities of monies that they had counted on isn’t a viable answer because it only transfers the problem to other government entities who will either have to raise additional revenues through fees and/or taxes or cut their services. The state of Minnesota needs to decide whether or not to continue providing all of the services at the level Minnesotans are used to receiving. If so, additional revenues are needed. If not, then immediate action is needed to eliminate or reduce the level of the services that the citizens don’t deem important enough to fund at current levels. Taxes may need to be increased to provide additional revenues, and the last thing that we should be considering is tax cuts for businesses or anyone else.
Faribault
February 5th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Review the programs that give benefits to illegals. For example, illegals are not entitled to food stamps or unemployment under federal law. Yet there is a Hennepin Co. WIC office on Lake St doling out the cash.
Wayzata
February 6th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Just two comments….
AMEN to Tom Kieff of St. Paul. I couldn’t have said it any better.
To the people who want to raise taxes on the “rich”.
The wealthy spend more because they have more…they earned it and noone including the government has a right to their money moreso than yours. If you tax the wealthy more, the wealthy will quit spending and that will hit businesses hard. You may not like wealthy people but if you tax them too much they will leave and take their tax revenue with them. Be careful what you wish for.
Greenbush
February 7th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Stop spending money on ILLEAL Imigrants. Minnesota welfare is for Minnesotans not Mexicans that are here Illegally.Why they get hud housing, free school, free Medicine.We would not
let a Canadian drive down and get free house, free school or free Med. this Country has to learn to obey the laws we make.
Faribault
February 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Mr Pawlenty said he was going to create a task force to impose sanctions on illegals when he was running for reelection. Funny how after he got reelected he has done nothing. If we want to save the budget, Mr Pawlenty should follow through on his word and stop giving State money to illegals
Woodbury
February 9th, 2009 at 7:14 am
I think we are being foolish and irresponsible for future generations if we do not face the fact that we need to increase tax rates on the very rich who have profited and continue to profit from the economic crisis. A friend who owns an accounting practice says his clients (high income and net worth) have never done better. “Trickle down” doesn’t work. Let’s face it.
I would also suggest that all legislation be put on hold EXCEPT for dealing with laws that will help with jobs creation and balancing the budget.
Nevis
February 9th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I brought to your attention the issue of background checks for clergy who desire to visit their clients/parishioners on a face-to-face basis.
At the present time clergy are required to have a background check issued from each county before they may visit face-to-face with their clients/parishioners. (I have served inmates who traveled among four institutions located in four different counties in a matter of six months! This means four different back-ground checks on behalf of one person! WOW!)
From first hand experience: This means that one incarcerated person could be housed in several state prisons or county correctional centers in the course of one year for a variety of reasons. My personal experience: One person was housed in four different counties in the course of one year. This means four background checks…consider the staff time spent, the inconvenience for myself, his pastor, in the time spent filling out forms on site and waiting for official clearance….returning again for the approved visit. (I traveled 140 miles one way in order to fill out the required form; and I could not visit the inmate face-toface because I needed to wait for clearance.)
For example: The Catholic Diocese of Crookston is 14 counties….I have served in practically every one of those 14 counties during my 39 years of ministry as a Catholic priest/pastor. And since inmates are moved around because of over-population or other reasons, we clergy travel to various counties maintaining personal contact for prayers, communion, and conversation…the video mode is not possible for sacraments of Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation/Confession.
It should be possible to devise a system of one state-wide approved background check that would be applicable and acceptable in all Minnesota counties for ordained clergy….similar to the card we are issued in Hubbard County with our picture and thumb print.
This would be a “revenue saving” devise, I believe. And certainly it would be a time saving devise…both for correction and prison officials as well as for us clergy…who have more things to do with our time than fill our forms, travel back and forth from home to jail/prison, and wait several days or weeks for official clearance.
I am eager to hear of “political movement” toward a uniform, state-wide approved background check for clergy who wish to serve their clients and parishioners…for reasons of economy and professional expediency.
Eagan
February 9th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Concept: Combine the volume of all purchases of materials under a total Minnesota Contract of all the various groups within the state, then all can participate in purchasing off of at a fixed negotiated price. By leveraging the much larger total volume all entities would enjoy substantial savings.
Potential Entities Included (Could include any entity tied to receiving state funds):
State Government, County Governments, City Governments, School Systems, National Guard, Public Transportation, Police/Fire Departments
Potential Items For Consideration (not an all inclusive list)
Buses
Cars
School/Office Supplies
Gas/electricity/natural gas
Road Salt
Computers, Printers, Fax, Copiers, Software
Heating/Cooling Controls
Maintenance Contracts – Plumbing, Lighting, Electrical, others
Text Books
Other Equipment
Physical Education equipment and uniforms
Food supplies
Eagan
February 11th, 2009 at 8:06 am
I believe most of the businesses operating in this state are aggressively reviewing thier business plans and staffing functions, with the intent of streamlining/consolidating positions to reduce spending and payroll. The thought that the state offices (all inclusive) should be immune to the need to do the same evalatuation is terrible, and is another example of the level of entitlement mentality in our government and elected officials. If the state is facing a budget shortfall, then they should follow the same principles that our families have to follow to make ends meet. If the money isn’t in the budget, you can’t/shouldn’t spend it. Raising taxes and fees in such a time would be a tremendous mistake.
Dellwood
February 12th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I’d suggest living within a $30 billion budget in order to get ahead of the curve. If it’s too hard to decide where to cut from the past fiscal year, simply apply an equal percentage to all departments. Not what I’d recommend however. You should prioritize what you know your constituents deem as important and cut those less than others. Also, down deep each legislator knows there are programs that should be eliminated. No better time than now to kill those programs.
Fridley
February 13th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I think we overspend on military-related expenses. What is the point of sending people who are not members of the Army or other main service branch into a war that has little, if any public support? Therefore, we should move some of the Minnesota National Guard’s budget into other categories. As far as I know, the United States of America was not founded as a military-based regime, so it only makes sense to re-evaluate our budget priorities as far as how much we should really be spending on military operations.
Eagan
February 15th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Learn from the airlines, have state file bankruptcy then dump ALL unions then cut all management levels using a steeped plan ie: cut lowest level by 50 percent then each level up by a descending amount till you reach the highest level and only cut their ranks by 10 percent.
Then as long as the state has stopped participating in unions cut the benefits to all state retires by 50 percent of health cost and 10 percent of pay per a year untill ther pay is 20 percent less then when they retired.All future hires would have the same benefits that the employees of Blue Cross get.
Once this is accomplished then start getting rid of 1/2 of the legislature then auditor’s office then lieutenant governor office.
Then rain in the state EPA and human rights so we stop having excessive rules from EPA and we stop providing printed matter in 23 language’s and providing interpreters at no cost to those that can’t learn English.Start opting out of all federal programs that are not payed for by the imposing agency.
I’m sure you will find some of this harsh but it’s time to decide, do we want to stop being America and become Denmark ?
If this becomes a real question at least let the people vote on it.Speaking of voting I believe that ther should be a test before anyone can vote and a picture ID would help prevent the voter fraud that accrued when many area collage students voted near ther school using ther school ID and at ther home precinct using ther driver license.
Eagan
February 15th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
As an after though the state could help itself by passing laws that would require that no school district should exist with less then 2000 students. wherever towns are less then 5000 population and within 10 miles of another town they should merge all services. In the metro area counties and cities should be required to merge all services. And last but not least all units government in Minnesota should be required to enact the same union and employee rules I set forth in thy proceeding comment.
Actually I did not just sat this as this applies to other levels of government.
Coon Rapids
February 16th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
It is important to not raise taxes and fees on ANYONE in a time when the buzzwords are “crisis” and “catastrophe”(if you believe them). There are always ups and downs in the market and it is important not to panic. It is also necessary that everyone be willing to make sacrifices. EVERYONE. No line item on the budget should be increased- if you don’t have the revenue you can’t increase the funding(Econ 101). Thank God we don’t allow deficit spending in Minnesota- Lord knows what you spend happy politicians would do then. Stop listening to all of the whining, stop kissing the a## of your favorite special interest groups and lets tighten everyone’s belts, I honestly believe that every item on the budget could be done more efficiently and cost effectively if we just told the departments they had to do what every single Minnesota business and family is having to do right now- cut the excessive spending, learn to do without the “I wants” and stick to the actual “needs”. Let’s show some common sense people! If you tax the businesses more they will either layoff more of us or even worse- leave and move to a business friendly state. Let us be the business friendly state! Let’s all stop being so greedy! We can and should all be willing to make sacrifices until the economy turns around- even the school districts and health and human services departments. So please stop the whining.
Shoreview
February 16th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I think it is important for the legislature and the governor to take the opportunity to do the hard work and fix an issue with the state budget. I think it would be a mistake to use fedeal stimulus dollars for this purpose, because it would not fix anything, it would just help plug a hole for one budget period. We need to fix a problem so that we are not dealing with it again every couple of years. Lets use the stimulus dollars to actually bring jobs and spending to Minnesota.
Rick Panning
Woodbury, MN
February 17th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I encourage the senate to really take a hard look at new ways to increase revenues. New revenue options - a clothing tax please, increased tax on luxury items including cigarettes and alcohol and gambling facilities whether charitable or not. they shoud at least pay increased fees. These are the vices that add to our tax burden, they should be used to fund it.
Our schools and the most frail should be the priority for targeting. Support the governor’s proposals that are most creative at targeting to the most frail and at risk.
As to the assertion that it would be an effective move to lay off “lazy” state employees… My experience is that previous year’s cuts already took care of most of that. That is why its getting harder and harder to get needed services from the state. The agencies are already running lean. I think that is a very shortsighted approach at a time when we need as many people to retain their employment as possible. In fact, the state should be hiring right now not laying off - that was the beauty of the depression era policies - lots of hiring for special projects. It is the only sector that can levy funds to support through lean times.
Also, it’s time that the state and municipalities look to a 4 day work week and shut down on Fridays. In addition , it is time for a mandatory telecommuting policy… There would a lot less investment in roads and bridges long term if we worked smarter instead of assuming people are just lazy.
Finally i encourage an early retirement incentive as a means to move employees out and downsize. If the state put on a freeze on hiring and then offered post retirement health care benefits through the age of Medicare, there are ALOT of boomers who would leave the work force and this would give the executive branch an opportunity to make needed changes in restructuring.
Owatonna
February 17th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Let’s face it, our legislator’s got us into this mess by continually adding new spending programs in recent years so the pain should start there. Let’s help them get us out of this mess by: 1) Limit the house and senate member’s pay to $1/year. 2) Take the house and senate member’s pay away if they go into special sessions. 3) Rescind all new spending programs and spending increases enacted in the last 10 years. 4) Eliminate state corporate income taxes. 5)Balance the budget by cutting spending not be raising fees and income taxes. 6) Once we get through this (and we will), require that any new spending increase be offset by an equal cut somewhere else. It is time for government to serve and work for us instead of we being servants of the government!!!
Lakeville
February 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Short term -
Add a 1% surcharge to everyone’s state income tax for TWO years to get us past the current crises. This was done several years ago and it worked well.
Long Term -
As a first step - reduce the number of legistatures by one half. Add this as a change to the state constitution in the next election. We have considerably more legistatures than CALIFORNIA.
Minneapolis
February 18th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Fire the Republicans.
No…not REALLY.
Well…no…no couldn’t do that.
But we need to focus on ESSENTIALS
Taking care of those in need, keeping our infrastructure in good repair, keeping the people safe (ensuring that our Police and Fire Departments are the best in the Nation, health care…that sort of thing.
Any additional programs must be put on hold until the economy improves. ANY of them.
Additionally it might be a good idea if the Governor and the members of the Senate and the House were to DONATE their time for at least one month out of the fiscal year while the crisis continues. (That is, for a time period EQUAL to one month—it need not be any one CALENDAR month).
Nowthen
February 19th, 2009 at 9:52 am
The mess we are in will not be resolved with more cuts and bonding. Suggesting more of former is painful; any of the latter pushes debt down the road-dumb!
I don’t like paying more in taxes either. However, lawmakers really should look at a state clothing tax. We’ve been spoiled by not having one. I grew up with a 4% sales tax in MI and when I used to travel out-state for a former job, I paid up to 11%-12% sales tax on clothing purchases.
Look at it this way: people who shop and buy high-end styles will pay more in taxes. Those who shop at Goodwill, barely any. Sounds fair to me.
COLD SPRING
February 19th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Let’s get some revenue by putting people back to work through construction, conventions, and everyday jobs. This would bring in additional income tax, property tax, and corporate taxes along with millions of dollars in revenue. This can be done if the legislators would listen to the vast majority of Minnesotans and not the lobbyists by allowing slot machines at Canterbury race track and a state casino in the metro area.
The people who say they don’t want to expand gambling must be “sleepwalking.” Within the last five years there has been over $250,000,000 spent on expansion at the present American Indian casinos and a new $21,000,000 American Indian casino is going to be built between Bemidji and Red Lake.
Iowa is allowing state approved casinos right across our border while our legislators are sitting on their hands. Let’s have some competition and get past this monoply in our state.
By the way, a state run casino would be “smoke-free” and in turn a savings in health care.
Kasson
February 20th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Be able to opt out of insurance at one place if covered at another.
Why should my employer (which happens to be a municipality), have to pay for my health insurance when I’m already covered under my husband’s insurance. But also leave open the opportunity to opt back in if necessary.
Lake City
February 20th, 2009 at 8:40 am
For years Minnesota lawmakers have been passing unfunded mandates on to counties and boldly telling their constituents that the legislature doesn’t raise property taxes - local governments raise property taxes. Our legislators should, in the interest of transparency, be eliminating state mandates and restoring local control in order to allow the level of government that must pay for these services, meaning the counties, to make decisions about the delivery of those services. Our present situation is a property levy cap imposed by the state at the very time that we have the greatest number of state mandates for services and the greatest demand for services. This is coupled with a large reduction in state aid, leaving counties with no way to raise revenue to provide these state mandated but unfunded services. Does this make any sense to anyone but the governor and the majority of our state legislators?
Slayton
February 20th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I (as well as most others) don’t fully understand the whole state budget. But, some things that raises flags for me. If we would compare ourselves to Tennessee. Their population is roughly 5.6 million people. Their state budget is 27.9 billion. They have no state income tax and a sales tax around 7%. Minnesota has 4.9 million people and a budget of 56.4 billion. We have an income tax and a sales tax of 6.5%. It seems to me, that now is the time to make MAJOR changes in this state. YES, there will be pain. But, what we need is leadership that is willing to look at individual programs, go thru each department line by line to see where the money is going. By just cutting budgets, the money doesn’t necessarily get cut from the right places. Legislators and Governor - STAND UP and LEAD!!!
Mendota Heights
February 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
There should be “zero tolerance” for a special session; all work must be completed in the alloted time frame.
The time is right to consider a unicameral legislature.
Mr. Gertsema has requested your leadership, as do I.
Maple Grove
February 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
To be blunt:
1. Build a Racino or several geographically located casinos generating taxes for the state.
2. Tax the Indian Casinos.
3. Reduce the MN legislature to half its present numbers.
4. No personal or sales tax increases.
5. Reduce business taxes by half to attract new businesses to the state.
Finally: DO IT NOW!
Cottage Grove
February 21st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
State Sovereignty Resolutions
The principal motivation comes from UNFUNDED federal mandates being placed on the states.
When a state passes a resolution proclaiming its sovereignty, that state can then claim exemption to most federal mandates under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
The feds may be unimpressed with a statement of sovereignty. In anticipation of this, each state would create escrow funds for each federally-funded program. The state will collect the major sources of federal funds, but only if the funds are to be used for purposes which are allowed in the Constitution. The cost of these programs would be borne through interest on these escrow funds.
It is easy to see the savings that are possible when the bureaucracies established on the federal level to dole out funds to the states are no longer needed.
Additionally, the tremendous tax burden on all Americans can be eased because of the decreased spending.
The sovereignty proclaimed by the state simply inserts the authority of the state, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
We are perfectly within our rights to proclaim protection from federal oppression under our Constitution.
A Sovereignty Resolution was introduced in the MN House on Thursday, February 19th, 2009. Bill Number HF997.
I encourage you to support this legislation to help correct our budget deficit.
Park Rapids
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
If you make a contribution(s) to a Minnesota political party, a candidate for state office, or candidates for the Minnesota Legislature, you are eligible to apply for a refund of a portion of your contribution(s).The refund is $50 for single persons and $100 for married couples.
Get rid of the Political Contribution Refund! The state needs to get out of it. It may not add up to a lot of money, but it’s a start.
Shakopee
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
Pass RACINO legislation and cancel the State sponsored monopoly on casino gambling. $100+ million added to the tax coffers every year will go a long way toward solving our budget problems.
Bloomington
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Public sector employees could share in the sacrifices made by private sector employees. 401K retirement plans in the market have been reduced by 30-40% and employer matches are typically 2-3%. Public employee pensions get an increase every year regardless of economic conditions and the employer (tax payer) match is 5.5% to over 7% depending on what plan they are in. Until the economy recovers the employer (tax payer) match to public pension funds could be reduced to 2-3% and the benefits could be frozen. I am more than willing to pay higher taxes to help resolve this issue; however public employee unions need to make sacrifices on par with private sector employees.
Saint Paul
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I am no economist and would never presume to tell overly educated Phd.’s their job. I do, however, find it strange that our country was not in a recession until it hit the uppercrust of society. When that happened, not only were we in a recession but had been in one for over a year. It is my hope that I am not the only one that this speaks volumes to. I hear a lot of talk from our elected officials about what we can all do to remedy the situation we are in yet I see little solidarity within their ranks. I see a projected package for 2010 that fails to take into account 2009. Are we presuming that we can last until then? I for one am tired of hearing about the plight of the rich and how they have been affected by all of this. “Muffy. I have some terrible news. It seems we are so broke that, while we can still take that trip to Bermuda, unfortunately we can ony stay for 3 weeks instead of the 5 we had planned. The other bad thing is we will have to fly coach. I also do not know what our company is going to do about the trickle down to the surfs. Profits went from $400,000,000 to $385,000,000. After the executives bonus payments, I am not sure how this company will survive.” Again, am I the only one seeing a problem with this. If I am, God help us all. Instead of hearing about current unemployment based on benefits paid, how about concentrating on total unemployment including those no longer elegible for benefits. Hard to see the whole picture when suffering from Cranial Rectal Syndrome.
Respectfully, Eldon Vickerman
P.S. Learn to get along or resign your positions in congress. I more blatant words, “Grow the h— up!”
Coon Rapids
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Two things for the budget. First require that all receivers of state aid such as welfare and general assistance perform twenty hours of communty service doing jobs such as daycare for centers serving other welfare families, snow shoveling for the elderly, handicapped or non-skilled jobs requiring just a willing person. The only exceptions would be for those attending school at least part-time or the actively interviewing for jobs. This would result in many of the persons on assistance getting educations or training and having them leave the assistance roles. Second reduce the state tax on business from 8.5% to 4%. The state needs to sponsor an atmosphere of wanting businesses to expand and move to this state but with the high taxes and no consideration for small business tax breaks we are losing more jobs every day to other states without high taxes, heating and other costs special to this state.
GREY EAGLE
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I HAVE OWNED THE DOUBLE “R” BAR AND GRILL IN GREY EAGLE FOR THE PAST 27 PLUS YEARS. I HAVE SEEN OUR INDUSTRY PUT UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE FROM CHANGES IN STATE LAWS. (LEGAL LIMIT TO .10, DRAM SHOP, CHANGED TO 21 YEARS OLD TO DRINK,INCREASED SALES TAX TO 9% ON ALCOHOL, UNFAIR COMPETION FROM TRIABAL CASINOS, CHANGING OF THE LEGAL LIMIT TO .08 AND THE SMOKING BAN).
I THINK IT IS TIME THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ARE GIVEN SOMETHING BACK TO REPLACE THE LOST REVENUE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGH OUT THE STATE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS THE PASSING HF 628 AND
SF 535. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT VIDEO LOTTERY WOULD BRING IN 1.2 BILLION IN REVENUE TO THE STATE. IT WOULD BRING NEEDED
REVENUE TO BUSINESSES AND TO THE STATE CHARITIES. IT WOULD
GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MORE JOBS AND ADD SOME BENIFITS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. WE ARE TAX PAYING MINNESOTA BUSINESES AND WE NEED THIS TO SURVIVE.
WE KNOW THAT YOU WILL COME UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE FROM TRIBAL LOBBYIST(THE LARGEST LOBBY IN THE STATE). WE KNOW THAT
THE CASINOS HAVE BEEN LARGE POLITCAL CONTRIBUTERS BUT, WE THINK WE HAVE GOOD GOVERMENT IN MINNESOTA AND YOU’LL DO THE RIGHT THING AND PASS THIS BILL.
Elk River
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Please consider a racino. It is time to expore EVERY way of helping our state budget.
I also would like to see a law allowing a candidate to have more than 1 endorsement listed on the ballot rather than only one. Ex: DFL & IP
Sandstone
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Comments regarding the State of Minnesota’s budget
First and foremost, there are no quick easy answers to the financial situation of our state. However, we must recognize some basic, common, too often misunderstood facts and principles. Not intending to assign any priorities, some controlling factors are;
A. There can be no sacred cows.
B. We cannot lose anything we presently do not have.
C. This is not a Democrat or Republican, urban or rural problem.
D. It is a statewide problem which includes every aspect of our society including each and every one of us, regardless of age, race sex, religious or political conviction.
E. We must clearly differentiate and clearly define what we are saying when we use the terms, “cut and cuts”, and “reduced increases”.
F. It will require sacrifice and acceptance of responsibility by each and every one of us to learn to live within our means. This applies to our personal lives as well as in the exercising our responsibilities at work, in government or industry, and, if you will, at play.
For discussion purposes, let’s start with a wage freeze at the 1 January 2009 level. This is primarily for all state and local government workers. Review paid time off and fringe benefits. Reduce overtime by rescheduling when and where possible. Look for duplication of efforts not only within an organization or agency but by more than one agency and or organization. For example, presently the DNR, EPA, PCA, BWSR, SWCD’s, all have jurisdiction and/or functional responsibilities pertaining to wetlands within the state of Minnesota, along with the overall responsibilities of the Army Corps of Engineers. Restrict expansions of objectives and project to areas that can be financed with cost savings resulting from improved management and oversight techniques. Initiate cost savings programs that reward employees with financial bonuses for their cost saving ideas. Cap salaries once a freeze is lifted. For those receiving clothing assistance, utilize the cost savings by taking advantage of the various thrift shops and Good Will stores. Review the authorized types of foods allowed to be purchased with food stamps, removing such foods as Lobster, fresh salmon, alcoholic beverages etc.
I realize I am not giving any specific area to focus on. I do not feel a realistic attempt to resolve the financial status of the state of Minnesota can be accomplished by focusing on any one specific area. Nor can any specific area be omitted from review.
I thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion in this very important matter for everyone in our great state of Minnesota
Sincerely;
Leland Magnuson
41935 Duxbury Road
Sandstone MN 55072
Phone 320 245 2868
Bloomington
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Please consider and support a racino. This is a huge source of revunue to help with tax cuts, budget cuts, education, transpotation the list is endless. I am sure we can find somewhere to spend the millions of dollars each week that are right at our fingertips yet we refuse to take it.
70% of Minnestans support a racino why not put it to a referendum. Why not let the taxpayers and citizens decide this issue.
This is in no way or form an expansion of gambling. Minnesota has one of the highest percentage of gamblers in the country.With or without a racino this will not change. This would give them a place to go where the profits are returned to the state. It is a diversion of significant profits to the taxpayers and citizens of the state.
I dont understand why there would be any resistance to this from anyone. This is a no brainer.
Richfield
February 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am
The budget deficit that is faced curently by the state will not be solved by one tremendous idea; it needs to be a lot of little things that are changed and produce revenue for the state in order for the problem to go away. One of these little things is to legalize the sales of alcohol in bars and stores past 2am. However, make this an optional decision that is left to the bar owners. The ones who do decide to stay open untill 6am and sell alcohol will have to pay a certain amount per year to obtain the licensure. This will increase bar sales as well as state funds.
Eden Prairie
February 25th, 2009 at 4:44 am
To: Tim Pawlenty
David Hann
Jennifer Loon
Department of Commerce Energy Staff
Green Jobs Group
Senate Energy Committee
From: Bruce Stenswick
Re: Geothermal heat pumps again
***************************************************
The following paragraph appears later in this memo, I moved it up to
get people’s attention.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Geothermal systems are expensive because of the loop field, which is LABOR
INTENSIVE (JOBS!!!). You also guarantee that the homeowners who install them
will have low heating bill. If you get enough people to install them, you
can DRIVE DOWN THE PRICE OF NATURAL GAS. Also, as we put up more wind
turbines, we can keep our heating dollars in the state.
*********************************************************
This is such a no-brainer, I keep sending it to make sure it sinks in.
First, I claim my heating bills are under $400 for the winter. This
is based on the winter of 2002-2003 when my heat pump used 7620 kwh
of electricity(I have a meter on the heat pump). Xcel’s space heating
rate is $0.046/kwh, exclusive of taxes and riders. 7620 x $0.046 =
$350. Add in taxes and riders and it is closer to $400. Now, it is
actually different than that because 1) I am on a time-of-day plan
which will reduce my heating bill and increase my air-conditioning bill.
2) I buy all of my electricity from Xcel’s WindSource program, this
increases it 3) I have a very efficient wood fireplace and free wood,
so I have fires fairly often, which reduces it. My heating bill for the
winter would be about $400 if I did none of the above.
My heating bill would be much more, depending on the price of natural gas,
with a gas furnace. The calculations are as such:
7620 kwh x 3412 btu/kwh x 3.3 = 85,000,000 btu
The 3.3 is an estimate of the COP. My system is rated at 3.2, but 3.2 is
really a minimum. It usually operates higher than that, but without recording
the incoming water temperature for the entire winter, I cannot know what it’s
COP really is, so I use 3.3. It is almost certainly higher than that.
To get that from a 95% efficient gas furnace, would be
85,000,000/.95 = 89,500,000 btu. Take that number times the price of natural
gas, let’s say $9.50/MMBtu, $9.50 x 89.5 = $850. It is probably less
this winter, but last June it was predicted to go to $12-$15/MMBtu for
this winter.
The federal stimulus bill removed the cap on the federal tax credit, so a
homeowner installing a heat pump gets 30%. A house like mine should be
able to be retrofitted for under $20000, this the tax credit went from
$2000 to $6000. The geothermal industry did not need this boost, but
homeowners do. The geothermal industry needs people, I think. When I
installed my system in 2001, boreholes for the vertical loop field were
$1000 each in the Twin Cities. They are now $2200. That is 10%+ per year
inflation. I am sure it is supply and demand. This could very well
increase with the new stimulus package.
Here is what I think you should do.
First, match the federal tax credit for
NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION. This will give builders a strong incentive to
try to put in a heat pump first before looking at fossil fuel systems. This
will put a cap on natural gas consumption in the residential sector.
Second, sell bonds or something to give low interest loans to homeowners who
wish to retrofit their houses with geothermal heat pumps.
Third, use some of the stimulus money to fund a $3000 grant, one for each house
district, or one for each county, for a homeowner who retrofits their house
a geothermal system following the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency
guidelines, and document all aspects of the retrofit including energy usage
for one year. Most contractors install systems that are larger than what
is recommended by the aforementioned guidelines. In defense of the
contractors, estimating heat loss is not exact, and they are the ones who
would get sued or chewed out by a homeonwer if the installed system were too
small. However, that does not mean we should not try to improve procedures.
The company that manufactured my system, Econar of Elk River, estimated that
the installed system would keep my house at 70 when the outdoor temperature
was -23, a 93 degree swing. In reality, my system maxxed out with the
thermostat at 68 and an outdoor temperature of -20, or an 88 degree swing.
However, my house is a bit tighter now than when the estimate was done, so it
probably would have been an 83 degree swing. The point being that they are
estimating and it is not exact, but the geothermal industry has probably not
worked real hard at improving their estimates. I have a 5 ton system, which
requires 5 boreholes. Following the aforementioned guidelines, I would have a
3 or 4 ton system, resulting in installation cost savings of $2500-$5000.
Geothermal systems are expensive because of the loop field, which is LABOR
INTENSIVE (JOBS!!!). You also guarantee that the homeowners who install them
will have low heating bill. If you get enough people to install them, you
can DRIVE DOWN THE PRICE OF NATURAL GAS. Also, as we put up more wind
turbines, we can keep our heating dollars in the state.
The only thing I cannot address is maintenance costs. I have spent $90/year.
I believe I have been unlucky. I talked to a guy at Econar, and he said
they did a study once and it was $38/year. I can believe that.
Elk River
February 25th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
My sister is a waitress by profession. She owns a home & pays taxes but doesn’t have access to group health ins. & is on Mn. Care. I would like to see a sales tax of 2 or 3 % on clothing to cover cutting 83,000 Minnesotans out of health care. It makes far more sense to pay a few dollars here & there than a huge bill from HCMC.
Minneapolis
February 26th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I worked for DHS for a time and you would not believe the financial waste there. I have been talking to a few MN Senators about this and I recently published my book at http://www.goodenoughgov.com regarding my year at DHS (shameless promotion here) but the book titled GoodEnoughGov does indeed tell all the dirty secrets that DHS does not want you to know.
The budget is important especially in these times. I just hope Pawlenty uses the stimulus money for it’s intended purpose (like healthcare) and not reallocate it to other projects like he did with the tobacco settlement.
Burnsville
February 26th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
More than a general wage and hiring freeze, we should see a wage reduction by a minimum of 5% for ALL government workers, whether elected or appointed. (Yes, that means you too, Senator(s) With that we should see a reduction in staffing by no less than 2% of the workforce enacted by attrition, not by layoffs! Next, let’s get some of these pot-hole watchers leaning on their shovels another line of work!
Oakdale
February 26th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
It is anticipated that Washington County will be losing $2 million from State Aid Funding this year, a loss that could be extremely detrimental to 4-H programming in our county. Last week Washington County commissioners reviewed a proposal for an updated budget that would include the expected state cut; this plan leaves no room for University of Minnesota Extension programs, including 4-H. This would make Washington County the first county in our state to ever completely eliminate its 4-H program. 4-H is largely a volunteer-run organization and currently $55,000 of our budget comes from fundraisers, donations, and membership dues. However it is from the $130,000 of county funding we have received that we staff two full-time 4-H program coordinators, who coordinate the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of events we offer for the 500+ 4-Hers in our county. While it may be possible for the program to continue with one staff member, even a part-time one, it seems that our commissioners have made up their minds and this would not be possible without additional funding from the state. I urge you to work to restore the proposed cuts to Local Government Aid that Governor Pawlenty is proposing for Minnesota counties.
The statistics speak for themselves. A U of M Extension Service report in 2005 showed that 4-Hers are more likely than their non 4-H peers to volunteer in the community and less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, shoplift, or cut class. It has been proven that 4-Hers do better in school, because of their public speaking skills gained through demonstrations, self-discipline and work ethic maintained through completing fair projects and records, and motivation, goal-setting skills, and teamwork gained from their 4-H activities.
This is clearly a time of economic crisis for our nation and our state, yet it must be considered that the
4-H program drives the economy. The county fair is one prime example. The Washington County Fair Board has pledged that if 4-H ceases to exist, there will not be a county fair, which would drastically affect our local economy. From a different angle, 4-Hers spend much money each year on their 4-H projects, be it buying wood at Home Depot for shop or fabric at JoAnn for their sewing, and thus stimulate the economy in that sense. Finally, our nation as a whole is falling behind other nations in developing a workforce of scientists and engineers. The 4-H program is addressing this concern by pledging to prepare one million young people to excel in science and technology by the year 2013. By learning life skills in computers, environmental, veterinary, and consumer sciences, citizenship, performing arts, and child development, 4-H is educating the future workforce of our nation! That’s right; it’s not just cows and cooking anymore!
4-H in Washington County has impacted countless lives and without additional funding from the state, it seems that the program will discontinue. While the final Washington County commissioner vote will occur in March, the termination of Extension programming would take place July 1st of this year. We need to take action now. Please do whatever you can to ensure that our county will receive sufficient funding so that the 4-H program may continue.
Maplewood
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
The state is in a severe decline of tax revenue loss do to the private sector shedding jobs and the housing market going to pots on record foreclosure. The issue is how to create jobs with out bloating state and local government thus increasing the tax burden of future generations.
It is time that the our State Government learns the hard lesson of making sacrifices just as the people on main street are losing their jobs and homes!
The immediate recommendations are as follows:
1. Decrease senator and representative wages by 10%
2. Terminate state subsidies to ethanol plants or make there of
3. Terminate state subsidies to public transportation or that support there of
4. Lay off state & U of MN workers especially administrative, clerical and business positions. Do this with business justification.
5. Increase the Sin tax (tobacco, liquor, gambling)
6. Reduce public school to a 4 day week
7. Get creative with technology. Use the Office of Enterprise Technology they have done a phenomenal job implementing high cost saving technology solutions state wide i.e. Voice over IP REF: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=OETweb
8. Do NOT increase taxes on small or large businesses, they are the one’s that create jobs and provide the actual technology and health solutions through R&D.
9. Provide tax cut incentives to have business re-locate to Minnesota
10. The cities should never make the threat to put police and firemen’s jobs on the cutting block.
The private sector has laid me off as of 01/19/2009. Your state income tax revenue is gone and next will be the property tax revenue from our homestead. I went to the town hall meeting in St. Paul (Frog town) to listen and provide budget recommendations. I was appalled on how many state employees that were there standing in line crying about saving their programs and services. It was infuriating to listen to people trying to save their skin, certainly this meeting was not intend to determine what is best for the tax paying citizens. This meeting hands down was a crying session and should have only allowed non state workers to speak.
~ The mad as h— tax payer
North Mankato
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
I work for Taylor Corp. one of the biggest employers in our area. In the past year and a half many were layed off. There has been a hiring freeze in addition to a wage freeze with a reduction in hours to 32 per week. This was for every one including high management. No one is happy about it including myself but you know what, it had to be done. When the recovery starts we will be stronger than before.
We all have sacrificed a lot so why should we not expect the same sacrifice from State Employees? This alone will of course not solve the entire budget problem but it will certainly help. It’s time to bite the bullet.
Minneapolis
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Honest Budget Ideas from the Governor are needed.
An honest budget from the Governor is needed - a budget that doesn’t minimize the overall problems with easy (i.e. no new taxes) solutions that are budget gimmicks or just bad ideas:
1) No more budget gimmicks - The Governor shifts about $1.3 Billion in public school aid to the next fiscal year budget, making that budget deficit larger.
2) No bonds - The Governor raises $980 million in revenue by selling bonds the state would repay using future tobacco settlement payments. Our children would pay the interest on these bonds in order for us to balance our budget today. Bad idea.
3) Count inflation - Inflation must be counted in future budget forecasts
4) One-time money - Don’t use the Federal Stimulus money as one-time money to try to reduce this FY problem. The true budget deficit this year is $6.4 Billion. If we spend the money only to reduce this deficit, the projected deficit in FY 2012-13 is $6.5 Billion (when counting inflation). Use the Federal Stimulus money for long term results or place a portion of it in budget reserve.55410
Maplewood
March 5th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
After attending a governor’s budget/citizens’ input meeting in White Bear Lake, an old article in the Minnesota Journal from the Citizens League (Vol. 22, Number 3 of March 29, 2005) reoccurred to me as a real solution to our budget problems and recession. Everyone, Dem and Rep alike, is talking JOBS. It’s the big fear being used to intimidate everyone into submission to one or the other’s philosophical position. The real answer is to promote jobs/business by drastically reducing business income tax [MN is about 8th in the country]. This will help all businesses, including small business to which we give only lip-service when it comes to significant relief or support. [See the archives for the above article at http://www.citizensleague.org
Secondly, for a fairer tax system, switch to a flat-rate tax system for personal income taxes. [See the same article for its argumentation.] As compared to our present system, the wealthy would begin to pay their fair share. Even if these two changes don’t handle all our deficit problems, they should be enacted for the state’s financial health [Remember: about 20 yrs ago 3M Co. moved a major part of its research facilities to Austin, TX because of such high taxes on business. South Dakota is much closer.] and fairness.
Willmar
March 7th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Our government needs to start acting responsibly. We should model our spending after that of the average American family. If we don’t have the money to pay for it, we don’t get it! Why is our president insisting on spending money for earmarks that are from a previous administration. I’m tired of him blaming Bush for the situation he “inherited”. He knew what was up when he was running for the presidency. He has a chance to put a stop to the spending from the Bush era earmarks. He needs to follow through on his campaign promises to go “line-by-line” and no earmarks!
Minnewaska
March 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
technical foul we should tax famous people like me more then evreyone else
TAX The Wild More TAX them
Anoka, MN
March 17th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Take a good hard look at how Fiscal Services for DHS does business. There is so much duplicity in management, as there is in ALL of DHS. Also, there is so much corruption and covering up going on from the top down. State policies are not followed by one certain buyer and the supervisors cover for them. Especially since gifts are bought for the supervisors to help cover the tracks. Illeagal activities ranging from accounting practices resulting in duplicity of reimbusements to buying practices and accounting for them resulting in costing the state mega-bucks. These people have been talked to before, but with the people above them covering up for them, nothing gets done. They are great at passing the buck and trying to get any heads below them chopped off who dont agree with them or who won’t keep their mouths shut. Proper accounting and buying practices in DHS could save the state millions.
Shakopee
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Allow a Racino at Canterbury Park which will generate $100+ million dollars in state revenue at NO COST to the taxpayer. The state is already full of gambling venues which don’t pay tax so let’s get in on the action in a way that will benefit the state.
Mankato
April 24th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Minnesotans can not take any more taxes.
Enough is Enough!
I work for the school district here in Mankato.
Freeze our wages for a couple of years and no new spending.
I see a ton of wasteful spending where I work and I am sick of it!
I would like to see more accountablity in where our money is spent.
St. Paul
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
We are faced with the classic debate of what we want government to do. Watt alarms me it’s that many seem more interested in what the government will require of me, TAXES. None of us want to have the government just take our money and give it to others. We are in that way GREEDY. And Greed is one of the roots of our current societal problems.
I think we should not ask what it will cost me, but what are we doing with the tax money? Much of what tax money supports, like arts and Parks certainly make Minnesota a great place to live. Some other programs make it possible to live in Minnesota. They are LIFE SUSTAINING.
As a physician I have seen this all too often. By getting Medicaid persons were able to get medical care that kept them ALIVE. For many it is not just a vegetative life in a nursing home, but Life giving treatments that enable people to participate in our communities.
Metro Mobility allows people who would not be able to drive or ride busses get to activities. I know several people who use Metro Mobility to get to work. If we did not support the transportation for these people they would not be able to work and pay taxes.
I have also watched to the debate about accessible voting machines. For me they are necessary. I have lost vision and must rely either on others or technology to read. These machines have given me freedom to participate in our most democratic of actions, vote.
If we won’t fund things then let them be Life Style and not Live Saving programs.
Dexter
May 19th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
We must look at gambling revenue as a way to bail us out of this mess! The hard line that Pawlenty has taken on this subject is ridiculous! I work for a school district and live in another district; I am seeing teacher layoffs and program cuts. This hurts all of the state’s children. It destroys the morale in the school buildings. So many ways that money could be saved and made, all things must be looked at as an option for creating new revenue!