Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, once said about tax relief, "The politicians say 'we' can't afford a tax cut. Maybe we can't afford the politicians." In light of Gov. Pawlenty's recent proposal for a $3 billion increase in government spending, I'd say Steve Forbes might be on to something.
When the state accountants close the books on this year, the bottom line will show that the government collected $1 billion more than necessary to fund its obligations. In addition, the next two years will bring almost $2 billion more in new spending and new revenue virtually automatically. The governor proposed spending nearly all of it, leaving a stingy one-tenth for tax relief. Ask yourself this: With $3 billion on the table, can't the government afford to give at least one-third of it back to the taxpayers?
This legislator believes it can. We still pay a "temporary" sales tax increase imposed to balance a budget deficit that existed 15 years ago. It's time to make good on our word and bring this tax to an end. If you pay property taxes you deserve immediate, long-lasting relief. If you work hard. you deserve a larger paycheck by way of lower income taxes.
We can do all that and still have $2 billion left over for the government to spend. Even the most spend-happy politicians should be able to live within that amount.
As a Republican, I applaud Gov. Pawlenty for not proposing a tax increase. But his tax relief plans do not begin to approach what Minnesotans deserve. In his recent State of the State Address, the governor urged lawmakers to "embrace the importance of right now." The fact is, right now we have the rare opportunity to provide serious tax relief and address our state's most pressing needs. To do both, we must put taxpayers first -- where they belong.
