Letters to the Editor: Budget Showdown

Only 19 days remain in Minnesota's legislative session, and so far Republicans and Democrats can't agree on how to overcome the state's looming $5 billion budget deficit. 

State Representatives and both represent parts of Minnetonka. And both legislators have their own view on the proposed budget plans causing gridlock at the Capitol. Reps. Benson and Stensrud are sharing those thoughts here. 

Letters to the Editor: Budget Debate

FOCUS NEEDS TO RETURN TO THE BUDGET

 Rep. John Benson (DFL-43B)

We have less than three weeks before the Minnesota Legislature is set to adjourn on May 23, and we still don’t have an honest, balanced budget from the House or Senate. The 2010 election campaign focused on a debate over whether an all-cuts budget — the Republican plan — or a balanced approach of budget cuts and some additional revenue — the Dayton plan — is better for Minnesota. Governor Dayton submitted his complete and balanced budget over two months ago, but we’re still waiting for the all-cuts budget our colleagues on the other side of the aisle promised.

Unfortunately, it now appears that the focus is shifting from the budget to constitutional amendments dealing with controversial and divisive issues. When the people of Minnesota sent us to the Legislature, they told us loud and clear that their priorities were jobs, the economy, and balancing the budget.

I believe our focus should return to the budget. We still have more than a year to pass bills putting constitutional amendments on the ballot for 2012. With less than two weeks to go, passing and enacting a balanced budget is a far more pressing task.

The Republican leadership has said that the budget bills are moving slower because Governor Dayton is not involving himself in the conference committee process. Typically, governors do not become deeply involved in negotiations until bills have moved out of conference committee. Furthermore, Governor Dayton’s commissioners have been sending letters, attending hearings to explain the governor’s position and have been working to move the legislation forward.

The clock is ticking. It’s time for the legislature to pass a Republican all-cuts budget that doesn’t rely on gimmicks or unsubstantiated savings so that the voters can compare and contrast the two budget plans. It’s time for us to do the work the people of Minnesota sent us to the Capitol to do.

PROPOSED SPENDING INCREASES ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY

Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-42A)

One thing is abundantly clear at the Capitol: No matter how much we spend, someone in St. Paul always wants to spend some more.

Minnesota expects to receive an additional $3 billion in revenue during the 2012-13, enough for a 9-percent increase in spending. That should be plenty to make ends meet, yet our governor proposes raising taxes by billions more to pay for a 22-percent spending increase over the next two years.

The good news is our governor cannot spend money; he can only make reductions. The House offered his budget proposal during a tax committee hearing recently, but it was resoundingly voted down by members of both parties.

Our state’s spending habits do not match the economic realities of today. I am a small-business owner, so I know the financial slumps and have struggled right alongside my customers. I also am a father who is concerned about tuition costs and I worry whether my son will find a job when he graduates from college next year. Families are struggling to pay for gas and pay the mortgage.

 We have all adjusted our family budgets and it is time for our state to follow suit instead of insisting on spending more. We must quit the old habit of assuming spending more money will fix any given problem, while failing to scrutinize the outcomes and returns on our investments.

I have authored a number of proposals to help our state run more efficiently and will continue working on new ideas. We need to stick with our priorities and live within our means. Tax hikes and spending increases will not help our business climate.

It may require difficult decisions, but we must remain disciplined to shape a sustainable future for Minnesota.