Dear Friends,
Yesterday evening, the House voted and ultimately passed HF729, the Jobs, Commerce, and Housing Omnibus bill. I opposed the bill due to the irresponsible $100 million dollar budget increase, and the fee increases that would hit you, the hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota.
First, I think it's a bit disingenuous to call HF729 a jobs bill. This bill favors wasteful spending to special interest groups over strategic and targeted investments that would actually spur job growth. The only jobs guaranteed in the bill are at least six new fulltime government jobs paid for with your tax dollars. The bill also increases spending 24%, over $100 million dollars over the forecasted baseline, and pays for it with tens of millions of dollars in new and increased fees that will mean more money out of the pockets of hardworking taxpayers.
Simply put, the hardworking taxpayers of this state can't afford to pay for the wasteful spending spree Democrats are proposing. Many of the proposals in this bill are inefficient government programs, and lack any guarantee of direct job creation. None of the provisions contained in the bill will grow our economy or make it healthier. None of provisions will encourage entrepreneurs to start a business or encourage companies to move to Minnesota. We need real solutions and proven strategies for job creation, not more mindless investments in government.
We will be voting on at least three other omnibus bills the remainder of this week and I will do my best to keep you updated as much as possible.
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Talk to you soon,
Sondra Erickson
State Representative, District 15A