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Those are enormous numbers!
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To the Editor:
According to the Minnesota Management & Budget Agency, the State of Minnesota’s projected budget deficit for the current 2010-2011 biennium will be $1.203 billion, and it will be $5.426 billion for the 2012-2013 biennium. Those are enormous numbers!
In addition to reduced state revenues, a large portion of these deficits are the result of excessive government spending. Over the past 50 years, spending in our state has increased an average of 10 percent per year, two and a half times more than the rate of inflation during the same time period. That’s a huge problem!
Enough is enough. It’s time our legislature stops excessive spending. It comes down to kitchen table budgeting. Minnesota families control spending and live within their means, and government must do the same. We simply can’t spend more money than comes in -- it’s that simple.
As a citizen, I am deeply concerned our state has been relying on one-time funding resources to solve short-term problems, and has not taken necessary action to solve the long-term crisis.
With the economic challenges we all face today, our government should consider combining services and resources, and working in a collaborative manner with other branches of government sharing similar duties. It’s time for smaller, more efficient government.
My two brothers and I, together with 12 very dedicated employees, work with our father in the family recycling business that dates back to 1910. Like many other businesses, both large and small, we were forced to cut spending and do more with less. This past year was not an easy one for our business, but we prevailed by reducing costs and working more efficiently.
It is never easy to make cuts or reduce spending, but it must be done. We must get back to basics and re-evaluate the role of government in our lives. When our state legislature makes its way back to St. Paul in February, I would encourage them to think creatively, reduce wasteful spending, do more with less, and solve this long-term crisis.
I am curious to hear your thoughts. Send me an email
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or call me at home (507) 474-2562.
Jeremy Miller
Winona, Minn.
MN District 31 State
Senate Candidate
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