editorials

"Dayton opens door for better tax ideas"........I have a much better idea. How about we open the door for SPENDING CUT ideas!

I agree!!!!!

What about Plan "D" -- CUT SPENDING. Not cut waste, not trim fat. Cut all spending that is not essential. Ensuring an individual's quality of life is NOT an essential service of the government.

I just love the cut spending crowd. It sounds something like this "cut spending, but now anything that affects me!" Davids is outspoken on this and so is Hann. Why not ask them where to cut?

It would appear that even democrats are fearful of the governors willingness to tax anything that moves.

comment229, I agree. I've heard so many conservative friends who only want cuts applied to others. As far as the gov's budget, I do not agree with the fees he suggests for businesses. We need business. And we need to tax them fairly without taxing them to death. That is where moderation comes in, in my opinion at least. And moderation is sorely lacking in today's world...

If the state were to add 0.6% to each of the income tax brackets we would have a surplus. There is no need to invent new ways to tax people.

My question to the tax everything crowd, when is it ever going to be enough? When the 'rich' are taxes at 90%, when everyone, except the poor of course, are taxed at 60/70/80%? When the sales tax is 20%? And why are we constantly being asked for more and more tax dollars, so we can provide more transfer payments to more people? So we can truly be the #1 give away state?

I agree that some level of spending on education is needed. What is missing is reform, accountability and measureable improvement by the education community. Look at the U of M, triple the cost of tuition in 10 years on the backs of middle class students, student debt surpasses credit card debt, Mr Kaler says "he will not cut costs" despite an ongoing litany of fiscal mismanagement by the U. Mark, you can't seriously think that giving them 80mm to "freeze tuition" for two years is a good investment. We need educational reform, improvements and commitment by leadership to actually change before any more invesment is warrented...

I don't agree with the Governor's business services tax, as it would likely lead to layoffs and lower wages for small business employees. On the other hand, business needs to pay a fair tax instead of shifting the burden onto the individal income tax. I do agree with reforming the state income tax structure and forcing those who are wealthy to pay their fair share. The Governor is right when he says we must act now or continue to loose our competitiveness as a state. It's not just with education that we are falling behind. Add feeding the poor to that mix. Now, a person with an income of just $1000/month only qualifies for $105/month in SNAP benefits, barely enough to put food on the table of a single person for two weeks, let alone an entire month. With affordable housing in very short supply, many are forced to pay for market-rate housing, which leaves little for other necessities. And add transportation as well. We need to continue making an increased investment in our public transportation system, and the faster the better. Taking 20 years to do it will result in us remaining unable to significantly impact the transportation needs of a growing populace. Republicans didn't like what Dayton said because they want to do away with government altogether. That will never work.