Rep. Lohmer: Dayton Budget Proposal Hits Middle Class Families Hardest

As many of you know, Governor Dayton released his budget proposal to the legislature on Jan. 22. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to learn more about the details of this proposal. I am deeply concerned that the impact of the budget will hit middle class Minnesotans hardest in their every-day lives.

Imagine getting up in the morning to read the newspaper. Under Governor Dayton’s tax plan, thousands of Minnesotans would pay more for a subscription to their morning paper.

Next, it’s time to drop your kid off at the daycare center. Daycare, while already expensive, gives you the assurance that your children are having a safe, healthy and fun day. Unfortunately, under the governor’s tax plan, working parents would pay more for childcare services.

Then, you have to run back to your house because the plumber is coming to fix a leaky pipe. Governor Dayton’s proposal raises taxes on household repair services. Another hit to your wallet!

It’s been a busy and expensive morning already when you finally have arrived at work at an accounting company or a law firm and you just got news that your businesses is downsizing thanks to the new business-to-business tax under the governor’s budget.

To get a break from it all, you grab lunch at a local sandwich shop. Under the metro sales tax proposed by Governor Dayton, your sandwich costs more.

Before you head back to the office, you need to run a quick errand to get your sick child some cold medicine at Target. To your surprise, the cost of over-the-counter medications has gone up because of the governor’s tax sales tax on such medicine.

After being back at work for several hours, it’s time to head out so you can pick up your child from school and then off to piano lessons. Under Governor Dayton’s tax plan, you’ll be paying more for piano lessons because of the sales tax on personal instruction.

While your child is at piano lessons, you run to get your oil changed on your car. The governor’s tax plan increases taxes on oil changes and auto repairs, which are already pretty expensive for your budget.

Your bank account and wallet are feeling significantly lighter and the day isn’t even over yet. To withdraw cash from the ATM machine, you notice the service fee is higher thanks to Governor Dayton’s increased taxes on bank fees. Now you get to keep even less of your hard-earned money.

After looking at your watch, you notice you have time to hit the gym before picking up your child at piano lessons. Except now, the price of staying healthy has gone up with the governor’s tax on gym memberships.

After picking up your child from pianos lessons, it’s time for their haircut. With the sales tax on personal services under Governor Dayton’s tax plan, you’re paying more for a simple trim.

Before you finally get home, you stop to get tickets for the winter carnival for your family and discover the price of admission is higher than last year. Now you must pay more for admission to events under the governor’s tax plan.

After you’ve made it home, had dinner, and helped your kids with their homework, you want to download that new Justin Bieber single that you secretly love. With the new tax on digital downloads, you’re going to have to pay more to listen to your favorite guilty pleasure.

When it’s finally time to rest your head on your pillow and go to sleep, remember that the day you had wasn’t a dream and it wasn’t a nightmare. It’s life under Governor Dayton’s tax plan for Minnesota.