LETTER: Looking At The State Budget

To The Editor:

Perhaps the state representative in my district said it best, “Some people will do anything to get elected.”

As we face a $3.5 billion budget deficit, the legislature has done little to solve the state’s ongoing budget issues. Many legislators are creating distractions to keep our focus elsewhere. Some even allege we have a surplus. Others take credit for the savings from healthcare reform, even though they spoke out against this reform. I am unsure how anyone can take credit for fewer students in our schools.

We have to do better

While forecasts continue to look good, we need to elect people who are serious about public service and willing to do the hard work to fix our ongoing budget deficit. No more uncontrolled borrowing; no more accounting gimmicks; no more taking credit for the sun rising.

By the numbers

There is $323 million in unanticipated revenue and cost savings reported in 2012 due to:

• Increased tax collections as people return to work and pay more income taxes, which also means more people are shopping and paying sales taxes
• Healthcare reforms
• Fewer students in school

There is $876 million of unanticipated revenue and savings reported in 2011 due to:

• Healthcare reforms
• Increased tax collections

Totals

• - $5 billion deficit going into the session
• - $2.4 billion owed to schools
• + $1.2 billion total in unanticipated revenue and cost savings
• + continued revenue growth and healthcare savings
• - $3.5 billion projected deficit

All the money and more is already spoken for:

• $5 million to replenish the budget reserve, a legal requirement
• $318 million to pay a small fraction of the $2.8 billion taken from our children’s school funds

Future money borrowed on unrealized tobacco bonds is gone. Taxpayers will be paying back this loan with interest for years to come. You can review all the Minnesota Management and Budget documents here.

-Audrey Britton