State Sen. Karin Housley (R-39) released a statement Friday calling for state government to return to taxpayers $1 billion in budget surplus announced Thurdsay.
In her headline, Housley called for a "pause in budget 'surplus' celebrations."
Politics.mn reported this week that Housley is considering a run for governor in 2014.
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Here is the full text of Housley's statement on the state budget:
Yesterday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), the department charged with overseeing the state’s finances, gave Minnesotans an update on the health of the economy and the state’s budget. There was applause amongst many because, at the bottom line, there was an extra $1 billion in state funds. On the surface, it sounds like great news—an extra billion dollars! But where did that money come from?
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You. The government took it from you.
Governor Dayton and the DFL raised $2.1 billion in new taxes last session to cover a $600 million deficit. If we do the math, there should be more than a billion dollar surplus. That’s like taking $200 out of your wallet to pay a $60 bill, and that is exactly what the Democrats did.
And what did they need the money for?
More government spending. The government waste found in the current budget includes, but is certainly not limited to, a brand new $89 million office building for the senate and pay increases for the governor and his commissioners.
They went way too far this last session by taxing everything from farm equipment repair, warehousing companies, electronics repair and increasing the cigarette tax. I am hoping in this upcoming legislative session, we take a step back, repeal some of the new taxes and return that money to the hard working taxpayers, families and businesses who paid it in the first place.
I hope the plan come February’s legislative session is not for the DFL majority to spend that extra money. It belongs to you. They’ve overreached and they took too much out of your wallet.
A budget surplus may make a great soundbite today, but now it’s time to give you your money back. I urge Governor Dayton and the DFL to join me and the other Republicans who believe that government shouldn’t take more than it needs. Repeal the new taxes and give us our money back.
Related:
- Report: Karin Housley Mulling Run for Governor
- Sen. Karin Housley Witnessed Viking Invasion of England
- Elections 2012: Housley Defeats Bunn by 631 Votes in Senate Race
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