Capitol View: April 19, 2011 Archive

Dayton talks budget, photo id at polls and Delta Airlines

Posted at 7:27 AM on April 19, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

Gov. Dayton appeared on MPR's Morning Edition this morning. He had a ten minute interview with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.

Dayton, who is locked in a budget disagreement with GOP legislative leaders, continued to criticize Republicans for putting forward a budget plan that doesn't balance. He says lawmakers have presented a plan that relies on money that may never materialize like a health care waiver. He said they haven't provided an "honest accounting" in their budget.

"They said all along they can balance the budget with cuts," Dayton said. "So let's see it."

Dayton is proposing an income tax hike on Minnesota's top earners to erase a $5 billion projected budget deficit. Republicans argue a tax hike is not needed.

Gov. Dayton also suggested that he'd "look at" a bill that would require people to show a photo id to vote. But he said he will only sign an election bill if it includes his plan to require politicians, political committees and other groups to file quarterly campaign finance reports.

"Any election reform has to have quarterly reporting of fundraising provision," he said.

Dayton has expressed concern about the photo id bill in the past.

Dayton also said he's meeting with Delta CEO Richard Anderson today to see Delta's plans for the company's Minnesota employees and MSP Airport.

You can listen to the full interview here:

Dayton earned, $671k in 2011.

Posted at 5:05 PM on April 19, 2011 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Gov. Dayton voluntarily released his income tax return today. He reported earning Dayton earned $671,724 in 2010 - most of it from selling stocks. His tax return shows Dayton paid $99,690 in federal taxes and $50,701 thousand in state taxes.

Dayton reported selling $407,000 worth of Target Corporation stock. Dayton is an heir to the Dayton Hudson Department Store chain that eventually became Target.

Target's executives contributed to Republican Tom Emmer, Dayton's chief opponent in the 2010 election. Target also gave money to MN Forward, an independent group that worked to defeat Dayton.

Dayton reported about $8,100 in contributions to charity including donations to Planned Parenthood, MinnPost, Page Academy and Esalen Institute.

Dayton spent $3.9 million of his own money to win the race for governor. Unlike when he was a U.S. Senator, Dayton has said he will collect a salary as governor.

UPDATE: Dayton's spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci made it clear that Dayton's sale of Target stock had nothing to do with Target's donation to MN Forward.

"He did not sell his stock for political reasons," said Tinucci. "He sold it for money."

Here's the full return.

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Conservative group 'Soups up' criticism of Dayton tax plan

Posted at 5:58 PM on April 19, 2011 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

The conservative group, Minnesota Majority, announced today that it will start driving around a "Soup Truck" to point out what they argue will happen under Gov. Dayton's income tax hike on top earners.

The group says the truck will travel to several different Minnesota cities to highlight the tax plan.

"Governor Dayton may not comprehend the consequences of what he's proposing," said Minnesota Majority president Jeff Davis. "But the business community does. Higher taxes will mean fewer jobs."

Dayton's tax plan won't impact every Minnesota taxpayer. The Department of Revenue projects that five percent of the state's taxpayers will pay the higher rate. His plan will raise the state's top income tax rate from 7.85 percent to 10.95 percent. Single filers who make $85,000 a year or more after deductions would pay the higher tax. Couples who make $150,000 a year after deductions would also pay the higher tax.

It would make Minnesota's income tax rate the second highest in the country.

DFL Party Chair Ken Martin said Minnesota Majority should be looking at the budget cuts put forth by Republican lawmakers to see the real impact on lower income Minnesotans. He says only top earners will see an income tax hike.

"Frankly, it's a shock to find out that Republicans care about feeding people. The GOP is the party that proposed cutting Meals on Wheels, that wants to drive up property taxes and increase the squeeze on the middle class and small business owners working to feed their families. Given that Governor Dayton's plan would only raise taxes on the top 5% of income earners, the question is: Do you have to show your country club card to get served at their soup truck?

All the gimmicks in the world aren't going to change the fact that the GOP proposal is unbalanced, dishonest and hurts middle class Minnesotans."