February Forecast Shows Long-Term Debt and Deficits

To the editor:

The February state budget forecast showed a $323 million improvement. State law requires that a portion of the surplus go to filling the budget reserves. The remaining $318 million in the projected surplus is directed toward paying back the billions of dollars the state owes our children and their schools, and that’s absolutely where it needs to go.

I do not support any efforts by members of either party to re-route this money to any other purpose.

Unfortunately, even after this money begins to pay back our schools, we will still owe $2.4 billion — which is a direct result of irresponsible state budgeting over several years. We need to pay this money back before we consider more spending or more unpaid-for special interest tax cuts.

Furthermore, I believe that any additional spending requires either additional revenue or additional cuts to offset any increased spending. This is known as “Pay As You Go” and is good fiscal management. Finally, we need to end any special interest tax expenditures before we consider raising other taxes or fees. There are too many special breaks for people and groups that have too much influence in St. Paul.

Middle-class Minnesota families have suffered from rising property taxes and fees for years; it’s time they caught a break.  

As the legislative session moves along, please contact me with your input, questions and concerns. You can reach me at (651) 296-9934 or at rep.john.benson@house.mn. You can also send mail to my office, 289 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

Thank you again for the honor of serving you in the legislature.

Sincerely,

John Benson

State Representative

District 43B