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Recently, Gov. Tim Walz rolled out the latest rendition of his proposal for our state’s $7.4 billion budget surplus. In short, Walz wants to take half of the surplus and send one-time checks to taxpaying Minnesotans, with his name on the checks. This plan is an insulting half-measure that Walz cooked up in the hopes that it will save his failing reelection campaign. He wants to use your money to buy himself votes.
First, Minnesotans should not be receiving half of the budget surplus, they should be receiving all of the budget surplus. Government is already fully funded for the year ahead. Every penny of the $7.4 billion surplus belongs to the people, and it should be returned to the people.
However, one-time checks are not the way to do it. Our record budget surplus was accumulated because government routinely over-collects taxes from working Minnesotans. Taking the entirety of the surplus and permanently slashing state taxes will stop the overcollection, let people keep more of their money, and provide long-term economic relief.
Additionally, Walz’s plan is nothing more than an election year stunt. Walz is reading the same polls we are, and he knows his re-election campaign is in trouble. As a result, Walz is trotting out this shameless gimmick in an attempt to buy votes with cash payments. What’s more pathetic than a “leader” who resorts to purchasing peoples’ votes with their own money instead of earning their votes?
Moreover, massive cash payments from government are what got us into the inflation mess we see today. In the span of two years, our federal government printed money out of thin air, handed out massive checks at random, and added a full $8 trillion to our national debt. Price increases and inflation stem directly from these policies, and Walz is fully committing to propping up a similar scam here in Minnesota.
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We don’t need to add more fuel to the inflationary fire that is destroying people’s livelihoods and wrecking their long-planned retirements. We need tax relief that releases them from the bondage of government, not more downward spiraling dependency. Walz and President Biden have been attempting to purchase the support of people with public largesse for the past two years, only to have it drastically hurt everyone in our economy.
Lastly, Walz’s proposal demonstrates his own shamelessness. Walz said his plan could be passed on a one-page bill in a 15-minute special session. Sorry governor, but the Minnesota Legislature writes the bills, not you. Furthermore, elected legislators get to decide how long special session will last, not the governor. Throughout the state’s COVID response, Walz acted like a dictator whose power would not be checked. Now, he is trying to control another branch of government. This governor is drunk on power and out of touch.
To those paying attention, Walz’s one-time check scheme is obviously just a flash in the pan from a desperate, scared politician.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
