Rural families’ budgets will be tighter under the 2013 state budget
To the Editor:
Rural Minnesotans will have to tighten up their family budgets in order to pay for the Democrat majority’s new state budget that grows government five times faster than the economy, increases spending by a historic $3 billion and hikes up taxes and fees on hardworking Minnesotans by well over $2 billion.
Families will pay more for groceries like bread and milk. Moms and dads will see child care costs go up, just like their health insurance premiums and heating bills.
The pain at the pump will be even more painful, and home prices will rise due to a warehouse tax, sprinkler mandate and mortgage tax.
Routine updates will cost more for equipment repairs, drivers licenses, vehicle registrations and vehicle titles, and people who smoke are being asked to fund construction of the Vikings stadium at $2.83 per pack (up from $1.23 cents per pack).
Our small businesses will struggle. Mom and pop shop owners could see a 25 percent income tax hike, and our larger employers will contribute to hundreds of millions in higher taxes. (No wonder North Dakota is putting up ‘Open for Business’ billboard signs!)
My Republican colleagues and I worked hard to prevent many other tax increases proposed by Democrat majorities. On many we were successful, on others, we were not. But at the end of the day, with one party control, we couldn’t stop all of the taxes, spending and overreach.
The 2013 legislative session has come to a close, but please feel free to contact me at any time. I am here to serve the people and priorities of northwestern Minnesota. Together we can bring job growth back to the state and create a better future.
Sincerely,
State Representative Deb Kiel
District 1B-Polk, Pennington, and Red Lake counties