"The Budget Surplus" by Di H
I have never considered myself a political person. I felt local politicians were doing OK, and I didn’t need to get involved. Despite a humongous treasury surplus, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned on Sunday, May 22 with most of their work undone and a lot less than OK! Now I am mad as heck, putting my time and energy where my anger lies and you should, too—don’t get mad, get heard!
The Legislature convened in January, state leaders stated they were hoping to appropriate that state surplus — then an estimated $7.7 billion — with an additional $1.2 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) — back to the taxpayers and/or working for us. However, Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal on the details, leaving the state’s historic surplus largely unspent before they adjourned.
These part-time, elected officials have to choose! Does the state cut individual permanent taxes, pay debt, save or does it increase spending on programs or schools or some of all these? You people are paid by my tax dollars to make these decisions before you go to your summer homes… you failed!
Governor Walz had proposed several places to put some of that money. These seem like common sense, Minnesota-smart, places to spend my tax dollars in part.
Spending $2.73 billion to cover a gap in the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. UI was the life preserver that kept families floating during the pandemic.
Tax cuts for families (such as middle-class families who need help paying for child care costs) and small businesses. I don’t have kids but I can support this.
$170 million for getting more Minnesotans broadband access — it's currently at 93% of residents. Why do Republicans, dominately in rural MN, find this unfundable?
$19 million to help drought-impacted farmers, as well as meat processors
Walz renewed the push to give back to Minnesota taxpayers in June. More than 2.7 million Minnesota residents could have received non-taxed payments, totaling $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for couples. But, the ogre Republicans called this taxpayer refund gimmicks to boost Democratic elections, just another political maneuver.
What can you do if you are as mad about this political infighting as I am? VOTE!
September 23: Early In-Person and Vote by Mail for General Election Commences
November 8: General Election
January 3: 2023 Minnesota Legislature Convenes in Regular Session
Put up yard signs for those politicians who support getting the legislators head out of their “party pleasing” and do their jobs. Encourage youth to get registered to vote in November. Sign up to be an election judge. Telephone legislators who are not doing their jobs. (I sent a fruit basket to Paul Gazelka telling him I was unhappy with his gun rights flirtation.) Write opinion pieces for local newspapers. Join like-minded people to discuss action.
Political ideology should not dictate the distribution and return of citizen taxed dollars. We all need to be a shiner…..
“An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.”
- A Tramp Abroad Mark Twain