Minnesota lawmakers tout session accomplishments

What's wrong with higher taxes? Ever heard of inflation? If you want good services from our government then you have to allow for higher taxes. This state is DFL and always will be. It's only because of a few misinformed voters here and there that we actually get Republican officials. I fully expect the Republicans to reach across the aisle and work to bring about the DFL vision. Republicans are such a minority in this state that their views are not a representation of the actual citizenry.

I have been a huge critic of the legislative process, and I still feel the process needs to be made more efficient. However, I must now congratulate both parties for getting a balanced package passed on time this year. Nice job, and a big THANK YOU for your service to the state!!

Mrs R wrote:

What's wrong with higher taxes? Ever heard of inflation? If you want good services from our government then you have to allow for higher taxes. This state is DFL and always will be. It's only because of a few misinformed voters here and there that we actually get Republican officials. I fully expect the Republicans to reach across the aisle and work to bring about the DFL vision. Republicans are such a minority in this state that their views are not a representation of the actual citizenry.

I agree with you completely, and apologize for suggesting that you are "Mrs. Republican" in a different thread. I see I was Wrong.

Hello wrote:

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Since when is 5% high unemployment????

Maybe 5% isn't high, but it shouldn't be accepted as being acceptible.

"Republicans are such a minority in this state that their views are not a representation of the actual citizenry."
Great logic, what other minority groups do you apply this logic to?
Please don't try to be intelligent, just be yourself.

Hey everyone - Great News! I just did my job! I waited until the very last minute, I really did nothing to fix any of the mounting problems, and I'm happy to report that I'm still going to spend millions of other people's money. Now I'm going to hop on a plane (paid for with other people's money) and tour the state. I'm going to tell everyone who'll listen that "I DID MY JOB - YOU SHOULD ALL THANK ME!"

I'm embarrassed for these clowns.

renfro wrote:

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Conservatives don't need the liberals to help them look bad, they do a fine job just by themselves.

I agree but I also think that liberals are just as good at making themselves look bad. Want an example?

After the 2006 election the Democratic controlled congress promised to look into Iraq what happened? George Bush fires 8 U.S. Attorneys and immediately congress pushes for an investigation. What was the result of that investigation? Congress realized NO ONE CARED ABOUT THESE FIRINGS.

Mrs R wrote:

What's wrong with higher taxes? Ever heard of inflation? If you want good services from our government then you have to allow for higher taxes. This state is DFL and always will be. It's only because of a few misinformed voters here and there that we actually get Republican officials. I fully expect the Republicans to reach across the aisle and work to bring about the DFL vision. Republicans are such a minority in this state that their views are not a representation of the actual citizenry.

Umm Mrs. R the DFL is strong in Minneapolis and St. Paul but not in the suburbs. I expect that this fall or 2010 at the latest the suburbs will start to flex the political muscle of this state and not the two cities.

TNR, the suburbs ALREADY control the legislature. If you recall, the massive Republican defeat in 2006 was primarily in suburban districts. And it's only going to continue as long as Governor Pawlenty and the other obstructionists try to continue to destroy the quality of life here.

Jon wrote:

Hey everyone - Great News! I just did my job! I waited until the very last minute, I really did nothing to fix any of the mounting problems, and I'm happy to report that I'm still going to spend millions of other people's money. Now I'm going to hop on a plane (paid for with other people's money) and tour the state. I'm going to tell everyone who'll listen that "I DID MY JOB - YOU SHOULD ALL THANK ME!"
I'm embarrassed for these clowns.

and just think of that carbon footprint for flying around the state boasting of their ability to spend money.

Mrs R wrote:

What's wrong with higher taxes? Ever heard of inflation? If you want good services from our government then you have to allow for higher taxes. This state is DFL and always will be. It's only because of a few misinformed voters here and there that we actually get Republican officials. I fully expect the Republicans to reach across the aisle and work to bring about the DFL vision. Republicans are such a minority in this state that their views are not a representation of the actual citizenry.

With your convoluted logic, in time the state and federal governments will take 100% of what we earn and give back to us only what we need to survive. Those that do not want to work will receive the same stipend. Welcome to a sister state of Red China.

Mrs R wrote:

What's wrong with higher taxes? Ever heard of inflation? If you want good services from our government then you have to allow for higher taxes

The tax RATE does not need to go up to keep up with inflation, as long as income keeps going up and the SAME tax rate is collected, the government gets more money. These buffoons passed more taxes to pay for more government.

The smaller and less intrusive government people took it in shorts this time around

After dropping the 35W bridge last year the state better brag about the crap they did this year!

The failure of the session is easing out from under the capital door.

Mandating the Chanhassen dinner theator STAY where it is!

Propping up MOA with MORE building when the cost of travel is skyrocketing, MOA attactions WILL NOT pay off going forward.

The casino state park on Vermillion is a wonderfull idea, spured by property owners who can't sell the lake lots.

Central LRT, another tax revenue HOG!
A new MNPASS corridor 35W, first they drop the 35W bridge now they are crippling the freeway by limiting access unless your RICH!

NWA is chased away by tax policies and 10,000 jobs left in April, get the picture?

State government "leaders" are lost in space, including Pawlenty!

THIS IS NOT MY QUOTE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING:
Quick Math
The NFL salary cap is $116,729,000 (most teams spend to the cap) How many employers in the state of MN have an annual payroll of $116 … read more million (I’d venture to say not many) the income tax rate for single people in MN is 7.85%. That means the Vikings Players pay $9,163,226 in taxes to the state of MN each year. The visiting team’s players also pay taxes on money earned in MN, so double that to $18,326,453. If you figure that this stadium’s life span is 30 years $18,326,453 x 30 =$549,793,590. That number is sure to jump as the salary cap goes up every year. That number is players income taxes only, not to mention the property taxes they’re going to pay on their multimillion dollar homes, the sales taxes they’re going to pay on their $100,000 SUVs and on and on….Can we as a state afford to lose an employer who is going to generate that kind of money for economy? and how about Joe construction worker and Joe peanut vendor and the guy who owns the restaurant next door and the hotels that people stay at and the rental cars they get. they all generate $$$$ for the state so those of you people who can only see a $750,000,000 handout to Ziggy so he makes money need to take the blinders off, you’re out of your mind thinking that only the rich guy’s making money here.

Conservatism in this state is about dead in lieu of a better chance for one more term in office. The republican party is fast becoming a joke for the conservative ideals that it was once proudly founded on. We are,in effect,down to a one party system in this state and the conservative citizens have very few to support. We might as well have voted Hatch in as governor, the tax payers would be where they are now without paying for their beaurocrats overtime for special sessions.

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.
-P. J. O'Rourke

How the hell they can look at anyone with a straight face and call themselves a success is beyond me.

Viking Fan wrote:

THIS IS NOT MY QUOTE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING:
Quick Math
The NFL salary cap is $116,729,000 (most teams spend to the cap) How many employers in the state of MN have an annual payroll of $116 … read more million (I’d venture to say not many) the income tax rate for single people in MN is 7.85%. That means the Vikings Players pay $9,163,226 in taxes to the state of MN each year. The visiting team’s players also pay taxes on money earned in MN, so double that to $18,326,453. If you figure that this stadium’s life span is 30 years $18,326,453 x 30 =$549,793,590. That number is sure to jump as the salary cap goes up every year. That number is players income taxes only, not to mention the property taxes they’re going to pay on their multimillion dollar homes, the sales taxes they’re going to pay on their $100,000 SUVs and on and on….Can we as a state afford to lose an employer who is going to generate that kind of money for economy? and how about Joe construction worker and Joe peanut vendor and the guy who owns the restaurant next door and the hotels that people stay at and the rental cars they get. they all generate $$$$ for the state so those of you people who can only see a $750,000,000 handout to Ziggy so he makes money need to take the blinders off, you’re out of your mind thinking that only the rich guy’s making money here.

Perhaps then the state of MN should have purchased the Ford Plant and given it back to Ford for free for the same reasons? Socialism is Socialism, even if it's part of the bread and circus.

Hello wrote:

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Since when is 5% high unemployment????

when someone with an "R" behind their name is guv.

I wonder if Pawlenty was still wearing the knee-pads he uses at GOP conventions while he was snoozing at the budget talks.