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Continued: Background on the sales tax amendment
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NO
There are a number of reasons why voters should vote no on the constitutional sales tax increase. Here is a summary of those reasons:
• The proposed constitutional amendment is an $11 billion tax increase. The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates it will cost the average Minnesota family $60 a year for the next 25 years.
• At a time when the economy is struggling and Minnesota families are paying for increased gas and grocery costs, a statewide sales tax increase is not necessary to fund such luxuries as arts and outdoor entertainment.
• The state already spends hundreds of millions of dollars to protect the environment and provide clean water through funding of the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, local units of government, etc. If there is a need for additional funding, it should come from the state’s general revenue, not a dedicated tax increase.
• Using the state Constitution to implement a tax increase has never been tried before in the 150 years that Minnesota has been a state. The Constitution should be used to provide guidance on general policies to govern the state, not to dedicate tax dollars for special interest groups.
• We elect a legislature to decide the spending priorities of the state’s revenue sources, based on public opinion and priorities set by our elected representatives. This amendment will lock in special interest group funding for 25 years. There is no way that the Legislature can change the funding sources in this amendment to adapt to changing funding priorities.
Phil Krinkie, president
Taxpayers League of Minnesota
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