Dave's Den

MN Democrats Raise Our Taxes

Today Minnesota Democrats (DFL) are gushing and falling all over themselves with glee. Yesterday they were joined by a few misguided Republicans to override Governor Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill. This will trigger a 5.5 cent-a-gallon increase in gas tax by Oct. 1, and up to an additional 3 cents afterward. It also increases the sales tax in the 7 metro counties by .25% to fund transit projects. This legislation will raise our taxes to the total tune of $6.6 billion dollars.

First of all, let me say that I agree on the need for transportation funding. It has been neglected in Minnesota for far too long, and the 35W bridge collapse is a terrible consequence of that neglect. My problem is that we are already one of the highest taxed states in the nation, and we choose to foolishly spend money on creating some of the most attractive entitlement programs in the country. Undesirables from far and wide (particularly Illinois) flock to Minnesota to take advantage of these programs. In the process, they increase our crime rate and contribute very little to society. I would have preferred to see some funds diverted from these programs to our roads and bridges. Just to be clear, I'm not opposed to welfare. I'm opposed to creating a lopsided giveaway system that entices people to move across the country to take advantage of it.

In the last election, I think a lot of folks simply voted Democrat across the board to voice their opposition to the war (a cause with which I sympathize by the way). I also believe a lot of folks did this blindly, without realizing that state-level politicians have no say in national matters. Minnesota DFLers do, however, have a long tax-and-spend history that I think was largely overlooked by voters. I remember telling my wife on election night that they're going to be coming after our wallets full-force now. Yesterday's vote proves that out, and now we're starting to see the real effects of a DFL controlled state legislature.

As a public service, here are the names of the Republicans who joined the DFL to override the governor's veto:

SENATE:
Dille (Dassel)
Frederickson (New Ulm)

HOUSE:
Abeler (Anoka)
Erhardt (Edina)
Hamilton (Mountain Lake)
Heidgerken (Freeport)
Peterson, N. (Bloomington)
Tingelstad (Andover)