Over-Taxed Minnesota

Transportation Bill Fails, Education Bills Gets Through Legislation

2008-05-09T08:01:00.004-05:00

Yesterday's mentioned transportation bill did not fare well in the house yesterday. It was returned to committee for retooling, the plan is to remove the seat belt requirement to increase it's chance of passage.

Or, so says the Strib.

However, the house did spend our money well with a ground breaking legislation to make hockey the official state sport. Man, that's great, I will sleep so much better tonight knowing that my tax dollars are being spent on such important causes. let people lose their homes, let gas prices keep climbing, let our children keep getting substandard educations, but for the love of god, we NEED a state sport!

Oh, yeah, they are also increasing the legal dropout age to 18, becasue we all know if a kid doesn't want to go to school, they surely will because the law says so...and they are proposing a two stage increase in minimum wage so small business can go out of business quicker and further increase the number of people unemployed.

So we have that going for us...can't be having people employed making $5.25 an hour when you can force their employers to pay $5.75 and then simply not hire them in the first place.

Must be nice when those same legislators get more than that in a daily expense just for their lunch every day.

Need More Money? Find More Ways to Fine People

2008-05-08T08:05:00.003-05:00

According to a retooling of a transportation bill, in order to raise more money the state wants to make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense, therefore we can be pulled over and ticketed just for that. As it is right now, we can only be ticketed for that if we are already pulled over for something else.

I can see the situation room now..."Well, if we pass another tax, people are just going to get that much more mad, so, how can we take more money from our constituents?". "I know, let's make a new law or two so we can make them pay it in fines for offenses rather than taxes".

In addition, there are some proposed restraictions on new drivers, as well as texting and emailing restrictions while driving, which, well, I have no problem with that...it seems every time I get cut off on the road it's some dumbass talking on his/her mobile phone. Cars should have some sort of wireless signal filter around them so phones simply won't work inside of them...

House approves weird property tax changes

2008-05-06T07:03:00.003-05:00

At face value this bill looks like it will increase tax relief for people. But from reading the article, it's not only tied to income, but the value of your home...while the details are of what values will get what sort of tax changes, Tim Pawlenty characterizes the bill as a dsiguise to increase taxes for the majority of people. He was quoted saying "It raises the income tax to buy down property taxes without any reform of the system, and that it results in a "a net tax increase on a majority of households in Minnesota, and that's problematic."

The article on the Star Tribune says the line is people that make under $100,000 a year get a break, yet on twincities.com it says $200,000. The goal seems to be to level out the property taxes for people in areas with differing levels of property taxes relative to their income. [huh?]

I so wish this damn country would simply charge everybody the same percentage for taxes every year and be done with it. It's getting really annoying to have to do so much work simply to pay taxes.

Classic Hypocrisy in Politics

2008-05-01T07:15:00.003-05:00

Al Franken has had a cloud hanging over his laughable run for senate the last few weeks. Recently he came clean about not paying taxes in 17 states that he owed taxes in. of course, in classic political manner, he blamed it on somebody else, in this case, his accountant. The account, who is in New York, hasn't said anything as yet.

Franken, former commedian, currently liberal politician, makes money all over the country with speaking engagements and other such personal appearances. Many of these appearances he never paid taxes on the revenue from, as taxes are owed to each state he gets paid for being in.

Of course, he will gladly vote for numerous bills that will up YOUR taxes, but he doesn't have to pay his own, and when caught, points the finger elsewhere.

Typical.

Washington County Passes Transportation Tax

2008-04-17T08:42:00.002-05:00

Washington County, in a heated public hearing, discussed, and then passed, the state approved .25% tax increase that was part of the state's $6.6 billion dollar transportation bill.

Washington now joins Dakota, Ramsey, Anoka and Hennepin Counties in approving the tax that has been turned down by Scott and Carver Counties.

Washington's approval was by a 3 to 2 vote and is expected to have big impact on the next election cycle.

Prior Lake/Savage School District Approves Cuts

2008-04-16T15:15:00.002-05:00

The district has had to make cuts three years in a row because people are sick of paying increasingly more for an increasingly inferior product. This year they approved $1.1 million in cuts. Cuts are said to include 5th grade band, 9th grade "b" sports, clubs such as school newspapers, chess club, technology club and the like.

The way I see it, that is trimming the fat, no lost sleep over that. If the public school system would concentrate on teaching the "three royal R's" and stop worrying about extra clubs, sports arts and whatnot, we'd have a far superior product where it counts.

Are those extras nice? Well, yes, they are, but if kids wish to participate in those kinds of things lets look in to communtiy education, private music instruction, community sports and so on. The kids that want to do it can have it, they always could, just not as part of the public school system.

That isn't the job of the public school.

Hats off to Kathrine Kersten

2008-04-10T14:13:00.004-05:00

As mentioned yesterday, the Star Tribune article mentioning a taxpayer funded charter school teaching Islam is now under a state investigation.

I guess every now and then the media can be of some useful service. Way to go Kathrine.

Hopefully the investigation will result in funding suspension and fraud charges, however, if that happens you can bet the state will have some sort of discrimination suit brought against them as well.

I have a hard time trusting that the same system that approved this funding will now turn around and pull it, but with enough public pressure and outrage, you never know, these people do have re-elections to think about.

Minnesota Taxpayers Funding Islamic "Public" School

2008-04-09T13:43:00.003-05:00

Kathrine Kersten today reports that Minnesota taxpayers are funding a public charter school that does what isn't alloowed to be done, it endorses religion...a specific religion, that religion is Islam.

This school, named "TIZA", shares the headquarters of the Muslim American Society that has the mission of establishing Islam in Minnesota, and it's executive director is an Islam imam and is sponsored by an organization called "Islamic Relief".

The executive director says it's not a religious school even though the students pray daily and the food served is approved food of the Islamic diet. Her article also covers a former substiture teacher at the school that says religious education and activities are a regular part of everyday school activities at TIZA.

I am really hoping this story gets bubbled up to all the media outlets. Good story, hopefully funding can be pulled and save us taxpayers some money that has been seriously misdirected.

DFL Angry About Lightrail Funding Cut

2008-04-09T08:39:00.002-05:00

The DFL ripped on Governor Tim Pawlenty for cutting the funding for lightrail from St. Paul to Minneapolis yesterday. I agree with the DFL on this one, that was a bad project to cut. This project can actually help people, typical, working class people get to work and back. Forget the museums, zoos, pet projects and crap, and do what benefits the community. We have gas price problems, traffic problems, road repair issues...this project could help.

Pawlenty made a mistake cutting this funding.

Tim Pawlenty Cuts $200 Million From Bonding Bill

2008-04-08T07:00:00.003-05:00

As reported in the Star Tribune, $200 million in line item veto's was handed out by the governors office. Personally, I agree with the governor that there were seriously misplaced priorities in the DFL backed bonding bill.

Now the DFLers are saying saying that the republican governor intentionally cut the majority of the bill's dollars from their districts as a childish "payback" like situation while Pawlenty claims the cuts are neither political nor personal.

One of the vetoes is a project I have been mentioning on this blog for a while, the $11 million waste for building new homes for gorillas and polar bears, along with vetoes for light rail expansion (%70 million), Meseum of natural history at the U of M ($24 million), and a proposed Asian Pacific Cultural Center ($5 million).

With the exception of the light rail, all worthy vetoes of unnecessary nicities, not needs in a financially trying time. As far as the light rail goes, public transit continues to be an embarrassment in the Twin Cities. If they truly want people to not drive as much, cut fuel expenses and traffic and help decrease dependance on foreign oil, mass transit seems like a logical initiative to support.

Cut School Funds and Give it to Movie Producers?

2008-04-07T07:39:00.003-05:00

I am somewhat stunned by reading the latest DFL-endorsed bill to help the massive deficit Minnesota is facing.

They seek to cut funding for school, healthcare and courts, and forgive most of the debt owed by St. Paul for an ice hockey arena while giving money to movie producers, noteably the Coen brothers getting $500,000, to make movies here, $5 million to beef producers to help the farmers that lost cattle to bovine tuberculosis, and tuition aid for college students.

As I am seeing this they are taking money from necessary infrastructure and giving it to business people. On the whole, I don't have an issue with tuition assistance, but during these tight financial times I would think k-12 education, healthcare and courts trump all else.

This appears to be just a snub to taunt Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, but we shall see. I wish these damn legislators would worry more about helping the state and their constituents and less about what side who is on.

Scott County Officially Votes Down Sales Tax

2008-04-02T08:33:00.003-05:00

As expected, yesterday Scott County did officially, and unanimously, vote down the sales tax hike proposed by the state transportation bill. The benefits of the proposed sales tax increase, and optional car excise tax, would actually benefit much in Scott County at all, as it would go toward light rail, which is not doing much for Scott County, and as yet undetermined bus benefits.

Kudos to Scott County for not screwing it's residence the way the state is trying to.

Gas Tax Goes Up Today, and Dakota County Gets It Again

2008-04-01T14:30:00.003-05:00

The gas taxed that was passed by governor veto override with the $6.6 billion dollar transportation bill goes in to effect today. If memory serves, that means instead of $0.20 it's $0.22 per gallon in state gas taxes.

Don't get mad at the gas station, on the whole, gas stations/convenience stores make very little on gasoline, but instead make money on coffee, munchies and that sort of product sales. Don't "fill and fly", it hurts nobody but the gas station owner, and it's unfair, if you have a beef with it, start voting.

In addition, Dakota County voted 5-2 to approve a 1/4% sales tax increase to fund improvements to transit system, including the Cedar Avenue running through Apple Valley, Eagan and leaving the county into the bigger counties which has seen increased traffic over the years. Scott and Carver counties have already voted down the tax increase that was proposed by the state. Ramsey county and Anoka county have both approved it previously.

Metro Transit Tax Explained...Sort Of...

2008-03-26T06:58:00.004-05:00

Now Metro Transit's funding piece of the transportation bill gets it's day in the sun.

Already approved by Anoka and Ramsey counties is yet another 1/4% tax hike on everything except clothing and groceries to go to....no, not Matro transit (that would be too logical) but to a newly formed "board" that has been created to give the money out as grants to areas they see as deserving. Carver County has opted out and Scott County is expected to, and Washington County is in a deadlock at this time, two commissioners are for it, two are against it, the decided vote is currently undecided.

This tax is part of the $6.6 billion dollar transportation bill, and I am at least glad to see that some counties are putting the welfare of their constituents over governmental pressure.

House Democrats look to rainy day accounts to fix deficit

2008-03-26T06:51:00.003-05:00

It appears the DFL may have actaully come across a reasonable, viable method of helping the deficit be overcome. That method being to use so-called "rainy day accounts" funds that are in reserve for "troubled times" that all branches of government have, yet none seem to use, like a rainy day never comes. If the current situation in the US doesn't constitute a rainy day, well, I wonder what would? People are losing their homes (admittedly, some of their own stupid decisions) the country is spending insane money on a war being fought by politicians, not soldiers, gas is rising all the time, legislators needed a raise to $96 a day for lunch expenses and those poor polar bears and gorillas at Como Zoo need those $11 million dollar homes.

OK, the last couple were simply sarcastic jabs at complete and inexcusable government waste, but I disgress...

Why Stop at Corporations?

2008-03-22T18:05:00.002-05:00

Rep. Ann Lenczewski has an idea to stop corporate tax break and lower them across the board.

My question is, why stop with corporations? Do this across the whole tax base. No tax breaks for anyone for any reason, no marriage or child adjustments. Flat tax across the board, no matter where the income comes from, or who you are, or how much you make.

I have read studies that say if that would happen we'd all be paying 15%-20% with that.

I'd be happy with that, and it would be fair, like it should be, breaks for no one, fair for everyone.

Get Ready to Flush More Taxes Down the Toilet that is the Public School System

2008-03-21T07:48:00.007-05:00

I just read an article entitled "Do you want to fund your schools -- or not?" that just pisses me off to no end.

The constant battle cry to help schools is to throw more money at them, yet offering no auditing or validation of the use of the funds. Should schools not owe the public some validation of the money being well spent by student performance or other such means.

More money with no accountability is simply tossing more money down the toilet. The school system needs to be completely restructured for accountability to the public before money keeps getting shoved at them. I totally agree the school needs help, but the tax paying public deserves to know the money is worth the investment.

The first way to make sure the school performs better is to get competition. No industry produces a better product without competition.

DFLers propose $49 Million for Schools and Ending Corporate Welfare

2008-03-20T07:16:00.003-05:00

The best part of this article is the first paragraph, which mentions a proposal for the end of comrporate subsidies. I like it. The bill, proposed by Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) would cut out $133 million dollars in tax breaks for businesses, while Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) said it should be increased?!?! Hmmmm, I guess there is more than one battle going on in the DFL these days...so, well, it won't happen, but it would be great if it did.

Then, here they want $49 million for college funding. Personally, if I have to put more money toward college, it will be for my kids to go, not helping somebody else's kids to go. It's a person's, or parents, responsiblity to take care of that themselves, not taxpayers statewide.

Metro Transit to Raise Fares

2008-03-19T08:32:00.003-05:00

So, right after the approval of a historic tax increase for the $6.6 billion "transportation bill", the public transit is so under funded they have to raise fares to come up with the shortfall of public funding.

So, while they piss away this $6.6 billion dollars, and accomplish nothing, and, Metro Transit is experiencing a surge in the number of riders they have, the government does not have the wisdom to help public transit expand, that would help ease the transportation problem that they claim to want to fix with our $6.6 billion dollars?

is it just me that gets a headache trying to wrap your head around that logic?

As a semi-frequent user of public transportation, I have grown an appreciation for it. They move thousands of people in and out of downtown every day without bringing their cars with them. It's more economical, environmental better, better for the longevity of the roads...it's a good thing!

Gas prices rise, they encourage people to car pool, then, when they get a reocrd amount of money, the single biggest car pool system gets nothing. They'd rather funnel that money fix roads nobody uses, vote themselves more money to spend for lunch, give tax breaks to big business and earmark spending to build animals new homes.

By the people, for the people, eh?

Minnesota's public transportation system is joke...and it could be awesome.

Just What We Need, A new Reason To Sue Somebody!

2008-03-18T07:22:00.003-05:00

The so-called "Good Faith" bill is heading to a vote.

This bill gives consumers yet a new way to sue insurance companies for denying or delaying insurance claims. Of course, we always have been able to sue our insurance companies for wrongful decissions, but now, if this passes, we get to sue them based on their lack of "Good Faith". The difference between just suing them for screwing you, and suing them for not acting in good faith I can't be sure...but I am sure a lawyer would charge you a couple hundred dollars an hour to explain it.

What you can bet, is that if this bill passes, that all of us will be paying higher premiums for our insurance due to the increase in lawsuits that is sure to be a result of this bill. The suspicion being that it would make an insurance company more likely to approve fraudulent claims for fear of being sued by this new, looser litigation option.

Just what we need, more worthless laws. Good job boys and girls and capital hill!

St. Paul / Groups Oppose Holman Tax Break

2008-03-17T09:10:00.002-05:00

It's good to know some people still have common sense and don't believe in corporate welfare. What troubles me is that this state has gotten so incredibly backwards that people have to fight to stop tax breaks. It should take that sort of effort to get them. Businesses are a part of the community just as citizens are and should be the same part of the tax base.

Sadly, it probably won't matter, and the tax break that was passed in 1996 for Holman Field will likely stay in place so they can continue to fleece the system at a rate of $600,000 a year.

Former Governor Carlson Criticizes Budget Cuts

2008-03-17T07:43:00.003-05:00

Don't let that healine make you think he actually cares, more accurately he criticizes budget cuts that affect his wife's fetal alcohol syndrome prevention program. While the program is all well and good in intentions, when it comes to these belt-tightening times, it's programs such as this that need to get cut in favor keeping necessary departments of government running. Police, Sherriff, Fire, Rescue, Transportation, etc. These are the core infrastructure systems of the state that NEED to be kept going. Help and support programs are not necessary, nice, helpful and all that, but not necessary for the state to keep running. They should be the first to take the cuts, and the first that could start donation campaigns and func themselves.

Of course, the better option would be to find non-union labor to work on government contracts and get a lot more bang for the buck. I can't be the only one that drives by road workers and watches a couple people sleep on their equipment because the crew doesn't need their equipment that day...and heaven forbid they grab a shovel and help do something else.

Funny, nobody mentions that kind of waste when they bitch about budget problems.

So They Send Me a Notice of My Refund Coming?

2008-03-13T17:38:00.002-05:00

So, I get my mail today only to receive a notice that a tax refund is forthcoming. While I can't, at the moment find any facts regarding the expense of this waste of money and time, How much do you suppose it cost the state, in this time of a $1 billion dollar deficit, to send me a notice that a check will be coming.

Is it a prerequisite that you have to be a complete financial imbecile to be a legislator to approve this stupidity?

Banning Sex Offenders From Social Web Sites

2008-03-13T06:57:00.006-05:00

According to the Star Tribune article I just looked at, the House unanimously passed a bill to ban sex offenders from social networking web sites such as Facebook, MySpace, etc.

All well and good in theory, admirable bill, good idea. So, how much time and money were wasted talking about and voting on this bill since it is completely undoable. I am not sure if the legislature is aware of this but the internet does, in fact, exist outside of the Minnesota, actually, it's global. Anonymity is part of the internet, and expecting web site owners to micro-manage that isn't likely, I can promise I will not be running background checks on the thousands of members I have of various web sites I run.

The only enforcement I see mentioned is the option for probation/parole officers to search their "clients" computers...big deal, it's really not too tough to delete cache and URL history in your browser, or, simply have a second PC nobody knows about, go to the library or any number of other options.

Complete waste of time. We don't need more laws passed, we need to enforce the ones we do have.

Scott and Carver Counties Say No To State!

2008-03-12T11:34:00.002-05:00

A couple of smaller countries are apparantly choosing to not take part in the state approved 1/4 cent sales tax hike that is targeted to help transit projects, and undoubtedly line a few legislators pockets and fund their pet projects.

It seems most of the reprsentatives on the county boards have a big problem with increasing taxes during tough financial times, regardless of county benefits from the increases.

It's about time one level of government is actually thinking about the tax payers.