Dear Neighbors,
Budget Surplus
Yesterday, we learned that our state is set to have a $1.871 billion surplus for Fiscal Years 2016-2017. A surplus of this magnitude is an obvious indication that we have been overtaxed. Minnesota families shouldn’t need to overpay on their taxes to fund an ever-expanding state government. Instead, we should look for ways to ease the burden and provide tax relief for Minnesotans during the 2016 legislative session.
During the last session, I advocated and voted for numerous proposals to give Minnesota families a break on their taxes. Our plan to provide relief for veterans, farmers, small business owners, and recent college graduates would have put money back in the pockets of middle class folks across the state. Although a deal on the omnibus tax bill could not be reached this year, I am hopeful we can all agree that easing this burden for our residents is a top priority heading into 2016.
A simpler solution may be to just give the surplus back to you, the taxpayer. Now, I’m not promising this will happen, but when our government is overtaxing its residents, we have to remember this is NOT the government’s money, it’s yours. I think examining a return of some of the surplus is good place to start before we end up throwing money at another government program.
Listening Sessions
It's important for me to hear directly from you about your priorities and issues you'd like addressed in Saint Paul. Thanks to those of you who have attended the two recent listening sessions in Watertown and Cologne. If you weren't able to make it to either of those, I have two remaining town hall listening sessions that I hope you'll attend. The remaining two dates and times are as follows:
December 8 at 7:00 pm: Waconia City Hall
January 13 at 6:30 pm: Mayer City Hall
As always, please contact my office with any questions or suggestions. My door is open, and I welcome your input at rep.jim.nash@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4282.
Best,
Jim