How would the budget plan announced yesterday affect you?
Posted at 5:00 AM on February 16, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(31 Comments)
Filed under: Politics/Government
Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his proposed state budget on Monday. He had warned in his State of the State speech last week that his plan would contain dramatic and painful cuts. Today's Question: How would the budget plan announced yesterday affect you?
Comments (31)
The acceptance (discussion) of the latest governors proposal seems to be a little premature. As a county public employee I have no idea if it will personally affect me. I'm low on the "totem pole" and anticipate some additional cuts in public service jobs soon.
As I see it- no leadership by any state government politician has gotten us here, and no leadership will continue. This isn't the representation I had in mind at the poles. Hmmm
It saddens me that once again the middle class and poor are being punished by Tim Pawlenty's poor fiscal management practices.
I'm convinced that K-12 doesn't need more money thrown at it. What is taking place in our schools is a comment on EARLY childhood development skills, which should have been tended to and addressed long before these children entered kindergarten. (yes, before kindergarden) It's these kids (and also their parents) who are not prepared for a classroom environment. My sister, who is a 3rd grade teacher, sees this all the time. These students inevitably exhibit behavioral problems which usually follow them through high school. Early education, K-3 or so, has become more of a babysitting experience for our teachers, and from talking with teachers who I know, it's a very real and very frustrating problem today. I feel strongly that it's a little late to wait until these kids enter a school setting to address these issues. If Pawlenty is serious about educating MN kids, he needs to understand the core learning challenges in our communities today.
What Mr. Pawlenty doesn't understand is where resources ARE truly needed. I think we must focus attention on early childhood development now in order to expect our children to be perform later. The world just isn't like it was when we were kids. Some parents simply do not have the skills necessary to teach very young children the most basic skills that will set them up for success in school. You know what they are... listening skills, respect for others, reading, and the list goes on and on. These kids could benefit from some of the very programs that Mr. Pawlenty has seen fit to cut (again).
Nope. Looks like he's missed the mark again.
It could cost me my ability to find a job. The Governor's cuts will lead to higher property taxes and school referendums which, because of the higher property taxes, that will likely fail.
I applaud the Governor's decision to vacate his office. I wish all Republicans who think government is too big and can't solve our country's problems would hurry up and get out of their government jobs and give up their government health care. That way they could finally be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.
How will they affect me?
Wrong question, I'm afraid.
I'll be fine.
But the Governor is shredding the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, balancing the budget on the backs of the homeless and the poor. So, I guess how that affects me is it makes me a lot less proud than I was yesterday to be a Minnesotan.
And if the DFL lets him get away with it I'll also be a lot less proud to be a Democrat. Somewhere, Hubert Humphrey is spinning in his grave.
Minnesota used to be a special place. Now we're just one more state racing to the bottom.
The Governor's budget will
* increase homelessness in my community by eliminating the emergency funds that middle class families turn to when facing foreclosure and job lay offs. (EA funds from the Counties)
*put me at an increase risk of contagion because my neighbors and others in the community will have a harder time receiving affordable health care. (decreasing the numbers of people on MinnesotaCare & weakening the community clinics)
And
* Increase the cost of my tuition. Sigh.
Surely my property tax will go up. As it is now my tax in outstate Minn. is the same as that of a house of 3 times it's value in Coon Rapids. Albeit I do have an assessment for a new street that accounts for 1/2 my tax liability, but once that assessment has been paid off in 2012, I won't see any reduction in taxes and quite possibly I will see an increase. Two reasons for this is one: K-12 "education", (if you want to call it that), the biggest money pit in the history of mankind. I'd rather waste my money on pull-tabs, then maybe I might get something out of it. Secondly, the Government employees unions who manipulate State spending and government employment policy like the Mob and then there's the spineless State that doesn't dare say, "You want to strike? Ok fine, you are all fired". Oh, and as for Pawlenty, one word: IMPEACH!!
I may lose my job if his budget proposal is accepted.
I could lose my job because Pawlenty continues to cater to the wealthy and the powerful, at the direct expense of the poor and powerless. He wants to give tax cuts to corporations so they can have bigger profits and bigger houses for their executives. I haven't heard anything about making the corporations accountable by proving that they're really hiring people because of the tax cuts. That's a myth that Republicans always use. There's no evidence that tax cuts cause job creation. Where are all the jobs that the Bush tax cuts were supposed to create?
I'm disgusted. I'm with Susan -- I can't watch or listen to that arrogant, greedy hypocrite any more.
It will lead to higher property taxes for all Minnesota property owners. Pawlenty takes the cowardly approach of dumping the state's budget problems on to counties and cities and property taxpayers so that he can avoid state tax increases. If he were a true leader, he would place the interest of the state above his own political career and agree to a modest state tax increase.
The Governor does not cut enough! K-12 should be cut! Out-state campuses need to be closed!! LGA should be eliminated. Mayors threatening public safety by talking about cuts to police and fire WITHOUT laying off admin. people and parks employees should be ashamed!
Government is how society does those things that are everyone's responsibility in general but no one's in particular. If I understand my Bible correctly, God wants the poor, the sick, the orphans, the disabled, etc., to be taken care of. Under Gov. Pawlenty's policies, we Minnesotans have been shirking our collective responsibility to care for those among us who are most disadvantaged. So how does his proposed budget affect me? I am spiritually poorer because of it.
How would Pawlenty's proposed budget affect me? Well, it will help endear him to the GOP base in other parts of the country, which will make it even more important for me to tell my friends in other states what an arrogant hypocrite he is. I don't understand how he can call himself "pro-life" with a straight face while cutting the very social programs that would help women with unplanned pregnancies decide to keep their babies.
Our governor claims to be 'pro-life'. How 'pro-life' is it to ignore the health and welfare of the poorest among us? I hear a lot from my conservative Christian family and friends at election time about voting 'pro-life' as Jesus would. My question is back to them, "Would Jesus target budget cuts at the poorest of the poor?"
I'm amazed at the lack of feeling that this Governor has. How can he, with a clean heart, take medical coverage away from those that make so little money? Reduce the amount that's reimbursed to long term health care facilities, reduce the money returned to local city governments. He has to know how this is going to affect not only those who directly get the aid, but all of Minnesota.
This is the the most cruel man to ever hold the chief executive position in our state. With his sights on national office, he's trying to make a name for himself while kicking the people of Minnesota in the teeth. His lackey supporters in the state legislature are no better than him. I have lived in Minnesota for most of my 61 years, and have always been a proud citizen...until now.
What a shame, that this one person, with his twisted agenda, can make such horrible changes that will so hurt the citizens of this wonderful state.
To live in a state with a governor who places such little value on caring for the poor makes me embarrassed to call myself a Minnesotan.
I've considered moving to another state-- and taking my small business with me.
I might join the ranks of those private sector layoffs for one, as state employees "do their share" and get laid off. Nice way of job creation, Pawlenty.
I know St. Paul will effectively cease plowing the streets-they barely do now and that's before further cuts to LGA. Hence, it may be more difficult to get to work next winter, assuming I have a job to go to-forget going back to school as I couldn't afford the time off work and the tuition increases thats undoubtedly coming. Pawlenty has effectively killed every prospect one may have for improving their position in this economy by immobolizing us literally and figuratively.
Pawlenty may need to keep a mental hospital open for one patient alone...himself, as this proposal is as crazy as him declaring he has not raised taxes in his 8 years of partly residing in this state as governor.
I am currently enrolled in MNCare as an adult without childern. It makes me crazy that a person without childern is considered worthless and does not deserve the same treatment as someone with a child! I was RESPONSIBLE for my own reproductive activities and chose to not have childern because the right partner did not come along. I know 2 women that both had 3 kids from 3 different fathers who not only have healthcare but both are rewarded for their irresponsible reproduction. Both of them are basking in the wealth of their tax returns with thousands of dollars. One of them is planning her trip to a tropical island. I know for fact that they got way more money in return than what they paid in! How can that be?! As a side note I HATE Gov. Tim Pawlenty with a passion. He is using my shoulders as a stepping stone to Washington. He makes me sick to even see his face on the news.
Great, I've been out of a job for a while and my most likely employer would be City or County or College/University. Thanks for screwing me over again T-Paw!
If Pawlenty's proposal were adopted, I would just feel sick to my stomach -- at how once again, we're balancing our state budget entirely on the backs of the poor, and asking for no sacrifice whatsoever from our wealthy citizens.
I know that's just our governor's way of doing business -- but it needs to be stopped!
Comments texted to MPR:
Why doesn't MN raise revenue by taxing clothing...Saks, Macy's, $300-a-pair shoes, etc. -Thomas Gleason, Alexandria
The mentally handicapped people i work with are at risk of losing their jobs and homes. I wonder if the governor has a place they can stay? -Travis, Minneapolis
I work for Hennepin county libraries and i fear that the governor's proposed cuts will lead to cutting more hours and possibly layoffs for library workers. -Kate, New Brighton
We will all be affected negatively by Pawlenty's choice to take money from LGA. We rely on the services that our cities provide to us. Very poor choice. -anonymous
Bike trails or fix the bridges on Hwy 100 in St Louis Park.
That's alot of rusty rebar showing!
Nice to have vs. need to have.
Buy state land for a new state park or GMAC?
Give money to a rich nonprofits like MPR/KTCA or GMAC?
Money for new ice arenas and civic centers or GMAC?
Money for the Guthrie or GMAC?
Nice to have or need to have.
For all the "happy to pay" folks, just write a check, the state will gladly accept it. What's stopping you?
I think the cuts are drastic and painful for some, but I did like the tax cut for businesses and that the K-12 budgets were not touched.
The only way to keep these large corporations (Employers) in state is to lower our corporate tax rate and keep our population highly educated. We have the 3rd highest corporate tax rate in the country and that is why companies like 3M are moving to Austin, TX.
Don't worry public sector, we would still be taxed in the top 18, so the revenue of these taxes will still cover all of your jobs that are over paid for what you do compared to the private sector.
I am an owner of a small business and these tax cuts will help our company a little with taxes, but will help dramatically if our large customers start hiring and spending money on R&D to develop new products and keep the mfg plants open.
As a healthcare professional, the cuts to mental healthcare, long-term care and social services are the most critical.
Without access to mental health professionals on a regular basis, the persistently mentally ill residents of our state are some of the most vulnerable healthcare consumers. This access keeps their illnesses at bay and picks up on exacerbations so medications can be adjusted so they can remain productive and independent. There is no where else they can go because the space in mental health hospitals is woefully inadequate not just in Minnesota but across the United States.
The state made a decision three years ago to have these residents looked after in the community and that cannot be done without proper funding and the mental health professionals that go with it.
The pressures on long-term care facilities are going to increase dramatically in the next ten years as the baby boom generation ages and retires. The need for LTC beds is expected to increase by 15% or more by the year 2020.
Why is it that the most vulnerable among us are the first to get services cut, namely the poor, the medically fragile, the elderly, the very young and the mentally ill?
If you are any combination of the above, you are marginalized in the governor's budget.
Taxes are a necessary evil to keep schools, healthcare facilities and government running smoothly. Difficult times require sacrifice and difficult choices.
Raising taxes is the most sensible solution to the current crisis. You can't get blood from a turnip.
The budged proposal will impact both my job and my education. I am a student at a State College and I pay out of pocket. I have to deal with a possibility that tuition could go up and for sure the quality of the education will be impacted.
I also work in Healthcare, in specific home healthcare. We already have a freeze in hiring and if this impacts us too much we may be looking at layoffs, which could seriously impact myself or coworkers.
I hate corporate tax cuts. They should be outlawed in all states. This would provide a level playing field, although states with certain resources, better weather, etc. may have an advantage.
It could directly affect my job first off. I work in social services with seniors on Medical Assistance and Elderly Waiver, so if he cuts healthcare further, it hurts my clients significantly. Already I am seeing ridiculous cuts to things low income seniors need. It makes me sick to think that my clients could be even more deeply affected.
The cuts to local government aid hurt us all. I like my streets plowed, my parks kept clean, my roads maintained and pothole free, my police officers and fire fighter to save me when I need help. Its just bad for us all and I hope that this proposed budget plan gets shot off the pedistal Pawlenty thinks he stands on in a hurry.
Pawlenty's cuts only make me more disgusted that his naked political ambitions are more important to him than the future of our state.
These budget cuts will affect the small social service agency I work for, where we provide free therapeutic preschool and parenting services to parents and children at risk for abuse and neglect. I can't understand why Governor Pawlenty refuses to raise taxes for those who can afford it, but is forcing the very poor and most vulnerable among us to pay by losing critical services that we as Minnesotans are obligated to provide. These cuts will decrease the quality of life for Minnesotans for decades to come. Just raise taxes! I'm happy to pay for a better Minnesota!
I'm in the construction business, so, my short term vision would think that a huge bonding bill would be a good thing. But it's not, these are temporary jobs that don't revive our economy. They give temporary jobs to unions so that they can work and part of their wages go to Democrats at election time. Then, local governments are stuck with buildings they must staff and heat/cool, thus expanding their need for more revenue.
Fix our roads and bridges, fix old buildings.
No new stuff until we fix the old stuff.
Our state needs to live within its means. We also need to attract private sector jobs. Our state can't survive on just building government buildings.
We need to start doing the right thing and that is scaling back the role of government in our lives or we will become California.
We can't tax ourselves into prosperity.
The proposed budget cuts will further harm my lifestyle and the lifestyle and lives of all people that live and/or work in Minnesota. Local Communties provide services and those communities have no more to cut.
People's lives will be at risk because of the proposed cuts to Health and Human Services. And in many cases people will still get care, yet, the providers of that care will need to raise their fees to offset the loss of money.
As usual Gov Pawlenty is a master of the shell game and smoke and mirrors. Passing off his obligations to govern to others, to improve how he is seen on a national level.
Gov. Pawlenty's budget proposal would strip me of my state-sponsored health care in October, if I wasn't already going to be in graduate school and on a regular health plan by that time. This action is typical of Pawlenty. Out of one corner of his mouth he decries high taxes for (rich) Minnesotans, while from the other side he raises effective (net) taxes for the poorest Minnesotans, in ways that directly threaten their fundamental well-being.
The proposal also affects my choice of graduate school. The University of Minnesota has taken hit after hit in recent years, and the impact is clearly evident to this prospective student. On the one hand, they might not have enough money to offer me admission this year (the program to which I'm applying accepted only six new students last year, compared to 30 in years prior). On the other hand, I'm wary of accepting an offer from this institution in apparent free-fall.
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