state + local

Awesome! We only owe a half a billion! Stop by, I'll pour you some champagne!!!!

Under Dayton future state revenues have been consistently underestimated, and these underestimates have been used by him to try to drive the state budget process. Unfortunately, his Revenue Commissioner, Myron Frans, has also been the head cheerleader for significant tax increases. Given the systematic revenue underestimates, his actions are reducing the credibility of his office and his department. He should either resign that office or give up his megaphone.

"The Sun rises in the east. GOP says to back off on tax hikes." "Scientists discover water on Mars. GOP says taxes should be cut." "Wild wins big game. GOP says taxes must be cut." Such a tired song.

I guess this means he'll be rolling back some of those tax increase proposals, right?

Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown: “A good day for middle-class Minnesotans. A good day for Minnesota job creators. The only people who think this isn’t good news are the people who want to raise taxes."

The same kind of moronic, illogical nonsense that was characteristic of Republicans when they were kicking the budget can down the road all those years. In case you still don't get the difference, Kurt, that's still a deficit they're talking about, not a surplus.

Um, the budget finally is showing improvement under a DEMOCRATIC governor and the republicans want to keep it from happening. What about all the fearmongering regarding what it does when we have huge deficits? Under the republicans, there were all kinds of bookkeeping rigging and taking from the school districts. Now they want to automatically reduce taxes. Same ole economic strategy, "read my lips" doesnt help anyone.

"Two-year projection shrinks to $627M. GOP says Dayton should back off on tax hikes" We need those tax hikes so we can get a lower sales tax rate. DUH!

alanson "Under Dayton future state revenues have been consistently underestimated, and these underestimates have been used by him to try to drive the state budget process. " It just goes to show you that the economy has been improving while Dayton's been governor. I'm not giving the man credit for the improving economy, it's just getting better. If we didn't under-forecast all hell would break loose when the forecast came up short just as the e-pull tabs are doing.

What this really means is that Democrats have no idea how to save for a rainy day. The State used to have surpluses until the Unions decided that it was "their" money under Ventura and he was forced between them or give it back to the taxpayers. Now, for once, put some away and don't let the unions dictate how you run your finances. Act big. Be an adult.

Be very careful here, taxpayers of Minnesota. If the deficit is not as big as previously stated, you can bet the governor and his lackies in the legislature will find some way to provide that difference to the governors union pals. Hang on to your wallets and purses!