Rep. Benson: Dayton Budget Good Starting Point

To the editor:

Governor Dayton recently released his budget proposal for the 2014-2015 biennium. The Governor’s proposal is designed to end 15 years of structural deficits.

Though I am still reviewing the proposal, Governor Dayton’s budget includes new investments in early, K-12, and higher education. Our state must develop a world-class education system to better ensure Minnesotans are able to learn the skills they need to compete in the rapidly changing global economy.

The Governor’s budget proposal also includes significant property tax reductions for middle-class Minnesotans.

To ensure that our state’s businesses are competitive with those in other states and around the world, the Governor’s budget wisely reforms the corporate tax code by reducing corporate income tax rates, while closing tax loopholes that benefit out-of-state competitors putting the Minnesota businesses at an economic disadvantage.

The budget proposal also includes new investments to help Minnesota businesses export their products to other countries, move goods more efficiently, and other proven economic development programs. I believe these initiatives will help create thousands of new jobs all across Minnesota.

The budget Governor Dayton proposed will not be the one that is signed into law, but it is an honest point of departure for a discussion about what Minnesotans expect from their state government and what investments Minnesota needs to thrive in the future.

There are proposals in the Governor’s budget I plan to support; others that require additional scrutiny. For that reason your continuing input and advice is essential. You can contact me by telephone: (651) 296-9934, by email rep.john.benson@house.mn, or send me mail to 417 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

Sincerely,

John Benson

State Representative

Minnetonka-Plymouth