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Where I Stand
2010-06-15
The State Budget
A
robust state treasury should come as a result of a robust state
economy, not at the expense of a struggling economy. All Minnesotans
are feeling the effects of our current economic situation. As each and
every family and person are having to make difficult decisions, we must
apply the same fiscal responsibility in St. Paul.
Jobs
We have
great natural resources in our state. We have one the most highly
educated workforces in the country and a rock solid work ethic.
However, as the economy and business climate have changed over the years
we have not made the necessary changes to stay competitive in the
global economy. We have taken steps in the wrong direction. In 2007 I
voted against the Renewable Energy Act. It was politically popular at
the time, but it was a sure job killer. Since then energy companies
have been rushing to comply with the regulations, and along with that
has come increasing energy costs that make it difficult to compete here. We need to streamline our permitting
processes, and bring our costs of doing business back down to encourage
new companies to come to Minnesota and succeed with us.
Taxes
As a
state, we boast the 3rd highest business tax rate in the industrialized
world. Our business tax comprises only 2.8% of the general fund
revenue, yet it stands as one of the greatest barriers to new business
development in Minnesota. It can and should be reduced substantially, immediately.
Our income tax rates have served to drive our snowbirds out of Minnesota
completely. Our tax rates must be brought down to enable those who
have worked in Minnesota their whole life to retire in Minnesota for the
rest of their life. Our income tax rates have also turned cities like
Sioux Falls, La Crosse, River Falls, and Superior into tax relief
shelters for Minnesota workers. Lastly, we are one of only a few states
who still tax military pensions. Our veterans served our country and
we owe it to them to treat them at least the same way nearly every other
state in the country treats them.
Education
Education
spending makes up nearly 40% of the state budget. Steps must be taken
to ensure that education dollars are spent wisely and stay in the
classroom. I fully support a voucher system that would allow parents to
choose where to send their children with their own tax dollars. I
believe the state has a responsibility to provide access to a quality
education for children in Minnesota. However, I don't believe that the
state has a right to a monopoly on education. We have to stay on the
cutting edge of technology in providing education to ensure that our
children have the skills and opportunities to succeed in the 21st
century.
Transportation
At
the core of a robust economy is its ability to move people and goods
freely and efficiently. Public transportation plans must make economic
sense and be viable on their own. I oppose any expansion of light rail
transit that is not economically viable on its own. We cannot afford to
continue building systems that will not sustain themselves. We simply
do not have the money. 96% of Minnesotans get around using our roads
and bridges as their primary method of travel. Transportation dollars
should be allocated as such.
Taxpayer Funded Stadiums
No. How
can we in good conscience make cuts to education, local government aid,
and social services and yet find money for stadiums?
Energy
We
must repeal the Renewable Energy Act. I was one of only 10 legislators
in the house who saw the economic damage that would result from this
bill and voted against it when it was politically unpopular to do so.
It has served to drive up electricity prices and has barred us from
purchasing clean affordable energy from our neighbors. The Renewable Energy
Act has driven up the cost of manufacturing and is becoming a real
threat to our manufacturing sector jobs. We also need to end the
nuclear energy moratorium. The senate passed a bill repealing the ban
and it failed in the house by only five votes. This has bipartisan
support and mine as well.
Voting Rights
Our right to vote is
the core of our democracy. We owe it to every voter in Minnesota to
ensure that their vote is counted and not canceled out by fraudulent
behavior. Today, you cannot buy a pack of gum with a credit card
without having your ID checked. We must apply the same scrutiny to our
most sacred protection as citizens, our right to vote. I fully support
the implementation of photo ID verification when voting. I fully
support ending the practice of same day registration. To ensure we have
fair and accurate elections, the Secretary of State's office must have
time to validate voter registrations prior to election day.
Natural Resources and the
Outdoors
Clean air and clean water are not partisan
issues. However, the path we take to get there has become partisan. It
is not enough to catapult bags of gold at the problem and call it a
day. I fully support investing our resources in projects that will
directly contribute to clean water and clean air. Simply transferring
land titles from private land owners to the DNR is not the answer. We
must take steps to steer resources to flood mitigation and buffer
strips. We must invest our resources in reclaiming the waters that have
been overrun by non-native species and protect those that haven't. I
believe strongly in the spirit of private citizens and their commitment
to the same goals. We need to work more closely with the people of
Minnesota who still own 75% of the land, not just the 25% of the land
that is owned by the state and federal government.
Rep. Shimanski on Capitol Report July 4th and 11th
2010-07-01
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