editorials

Dayton's proposal is very straightforward in the areas where the majority of voters benefit, then he hides the things that will cause us to pay more. Why would you lower the corporate income tax, then add a tax on business services used to calculate taxes and other things? The net result seems to be higher business costs - which leads to higher prices and/or fewer jobs. In addition, income taxes on the top 2% have already jumped due to Obamacare and the fiscal cliff deal - there is no way an extra $1.129 billion materializes from these changes. These high income earners will find an escape - for most that would likely be South Dakota or another state with low income taxes.

Only revenue increases, no cuts to existing programs? Come on Guv the economy is stuck at 1.5% and you want to spend 8% more? Let's see your moderate proposal.

STRIB, taxing clothing, raising the rate on the rich, and giving a tax rebate on a tax the State never collected in the first place is NOT tax reform! Pull your heads out of the clouds!

MN Care needs to be reformed, the MN State welfare program needs reform (Mn has a 2.5% lower employment rate the the nation, we should be seeing welfare and unemployment costs shrinking not increasing! LGA needs to GO, Renters tax rebate needs to go, We need education financial reform, that means accounting for where our current spending is going, not adding more. We have too many State and public employees all dependent on tax payers for salary, pension and healthcare, Public staffing levels should be bare bones. We should be reforming the corporate tax structure so that we do not punish the successful but encourage investment and job opportunities. Mn should not be an illegal alien sanctuary State..............Those are reforms! raising taxes and spending more are not reforms!

Where in the plan is spending reduced or limited? It is not. This plan is no different than any other... tax the rich and then tax the rest of us. He may try it in creative ways and the deceit is obvious (we are going to lower our sales tax). Putting money in one pocket and taking it out of the other is a childish game and we see through it. Furthermore, if anyone thinks they won't raise the sales tax next year, claiming it is low, you really are naive.

Mr. Dayton has to be very careful in the next 4 years. Not of the opinion of the far right or the far left, these are already set in stone, but of the center. Dayton can either prove that the Democratic party is pragmatic, balanced and centrist or he can confirm the rantings of the righties. If he can achieve real, lasting, reasonable solutions then the GOP is all but dead in Minnesota.

I actually like the idea that we should tax services and lower the sales tax rate. Businesses that provide services shouldn't get an unfair tax advantage over businesses who provide products. Lowering corporate tax rates are also a good idea. The sales tax on clothing should be much lower, I think $20 is more reasonable...anything above $20 isn't a necessity. The other tax ideas I disagree with...higher income taxes on high earners...charging internet sales tax on out-of-state businesses (this is a federal issue)...more property tax rebates will just encourage local government to spend...these are all bad ideas and will lead to higher unemployment rates.

"Businesses that provide services shouldn't get an unfair tax advantage over businesses who provide products". They aren't getting an advantage over each other unless they are competitors.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. MN finances have been running on a structural deficit for quite some time now, relying on on accounting hocus-pocus and borrowing to paper over the cracks. The "starve the beast" mindset has merely produced more debt and a lower state credit rating. I applaud Dayton for having the fortitude to make the tough decisions necessary to return this state to firm fiscal ground.

"anything above $20 isn't a necessity"-------- Shoes? Pants? These aren't necessary??????