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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR PAWLENTY REGARDING DFL OVERRIDE
By Michael B. Brodkorb | February 25, 2008
Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the override of the Governor’s veto of an approximately $7 billion tax increase, including a gas tax increase, license tab tax increase, sales tax increase, car rental tax increase and a new excise tax on vehicle purchases.
"The DFL-controlled legislature's override of this veto shows they're clearly out-of-touch with Minnesotans who are facing rising gas prices, heating costs and other expenses in tough economic times. Raising taxes is always the DFL’s go-to solution and that's bad for Minnesota’s families and our economy.
"While the federal government is issuing tax rebate checks, Democrats in Minnesota have decided to burden our families with hundreds of dollars a year in new taxes to pay for a massive $7 billion tax increase."
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This is cross-posted at Party of Pawlenty.
Tags: Override Six, Tim Pawlenty
Topics: Override Six, Tim Pawlenty | 33 Comments »
33 Responses to “STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR PAWLENTY REGARDING DFL OVERRIDE”
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February 25th, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Residents of this state should be all be vomiting at this absurd bill that is now being forced upon us. It’s more than a gas tax people:
-It raises your sales tax by .25 percent.
-It adds a $20 sales tax if you buy a motor vehicle in the metro area.
-It boots license tab fees on newly purchased cars and trucks. (My tabs happen to be up this month. I’m paying $114 for a car built in 2001 and has just over 100,000 miles on it. Do we not think that’s enough?)
-Add to the fact that if/when you buy a new car, you’ll also have to pay a tax that’s 1.25 percent of the purchase price.
All of that included with a gas tax that will be raised 8.5 cents by the year 2014.
What really pisses me off is that the legislature and media all call it “the gas tax”. It’s a hell of a lot more than that people. It’s a friggin jihad against your wallet.
I would never dispute that transportation in Minnesota, especially in the metro area, needs a lot of work. But sneaking in all of these “extras” is nothing short of dishonest, dirty and downright wrong.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Residents of this state should be all be vomiting at this absurd bill that is now being forced upon us. It’s more than a gas tax people:
-It raises your sales tax by .25 percent.
-It adds a $20 sales tax if you buy a motor vehicle in the metro area.
-It boots license tab fees on newly purchased cars and trucks. (My tabs happen to be up this month. I’m paying $114 for a car built in 2001 and has just over 100,000 miles on it. Do we not think that’s enough?)
-Add to the fact that if/when you buy a new car, you’ll also have to pay a tax that’s 1.25 percent of the purchase price.
All of that included with a gas tax that will be raised 8.5 cents by the year 2014.
What really pisses me off is that the legislature and media all call it “the gas taxâ€. It’s a hell of a lot more than that people. It’s a friggin jihad against your wallet.
I would never dispute that transportation in Minnesota, especially in the metro area, needs a lot of work. But sneaking in all of these “extras†is nothing short of dishonest, dirty and downright wrong.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:23 PM
The governor makes me sick, just as much as the six Republicans who voted for this awful bill. Pawlenty couldn’t even be in town for this vote. If he really truly opposed all these tax increases, he would have been at the Capitol twisting arms. But he wasn’t, he was in washington on his global warming jihad.
He wanted this to pass. Now he can bash away and make himself look good for it. We’ll all be paying the price for his selfishness everytime we fill up the gas tank.
Pawlenty’s lack of action disgusts me, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s broken his pledge for real this time.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:46 PM
The fact that the governor and Marty couldn’t change any of the six votes shows just how impotent republicans in this state have become.
Here is a hint to republican candidates in the future. Minnesota voters don’t care about abortion or immigration nearly as much as they do about roads and schools. Maybe it is time y’all started standing FOR something rather than always being the party of opposition.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Mary LaHammer is reporting on infighting between Seifert and Pawlenty:
http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2008/02/seifert-vs-pawlenty.html
February 25th, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Hey Larry-
Does this mean you are pro-illegal immigration?
Why don’t you ask parents in Cottonwood, MN if they think immigration is a problem.
And while you’re at it, I’d be interested in learning the issues democrats stand for that don’t involve raising taxes.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:12 PM
There isn’t any infighting between Marty and Pawlenty. Give me a break. They both did all they could to prevent the biggest tax increase the State has ever seen. Fact of the matter is that people get what they vote for. Maybe some of the “stay home Republicans” from the last election should reflect on that considering that many of the suburban seats went to Dems by less than 100 votes.
Larry, you are perhaps the dumbest person I have ever seen post. Do you act that way just to irritate people or are you really this demented? This vote wasn’t about what people want. It was about what special interests and unions wanted. The next election you will see what people want. Now maybe you were living in your liberal land of Oz last election cycle and saw Dem candidates out there telling people they were going to cast the largest tax jack in history on people. But I seem to remember Speaker Marge and other Dem leaders say that they saw no reason to raise taxes. They were going to “live within their means…” If this is living within their means, it’s terrifying. If you think the Gov’t doesn’t have enough money, send them a check. Leave my money alone.
What’s going to happen when traffic is still congested and potholes still pop up and our streets aren’t paved with gold? More tax increases? I bet. County Commissioners are already saying this enormous tax increase isn’t enough. It’s only the tip of the iceberg. Sure, I can see that they aren’t going to raise property taxes…
What’s next? Gigantic income tax increases?
Krinkie was right on Almanac. Might as well sign our “economic stimulus checks” over to the State. That is if we get them and the State doesn’t intercept them on the way in…
February 25th, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Shut up larry, you’re a dolt.
Trum, great job but you missed something. The 1.25% will just be the tab fee. It will only drop 10% each year for ten years. You still will have the sale tax on the car which also went up today.
So on a $50,000 car the sales tax just increased today by .25% or $125 bucks. Plus the tab fee went from $189 to $625 increasing $436.00. So if you purchase a $50,000 dollar vehicle staring in July just to get it off the lot cost you an extra $561.00 dollars. Even more if you end up financing it.
Then when your tabs are due the following year they will cost $625- 10% =$562.50 instead of $189. Year 3 $562.50 – 10% = $506.25 instead of $189.00. Year 4 $506.50 – 10% = $455.85 instead of $99.00. On and on and on it goes for 10 years. Doesn’t matter how many miles you put on it or what the real value of your car is. The chump that may purchase your vehicle with 100,000 miles on it in year four will be stuck with the same depreciation schedule.
That’s the real ass kicker in today’s tax and grab. Businesses will have to pay this hugh increase also and expect them to pass it on to you.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Thought you might enjoy this email I just sent to Rep Jim Abeler. It may seem harse but trust me I toned it down.
I waited several hours after watching you pontificate this afternoon on the house floor. I was too upset to write this immediately after your screed. You asked that those of use who criticize the largest tax increase in Minnesota history go read the bill. Well sir, I did and as a matter of fact I spent over an hour trying to figure out exactly how much it will cost me and my business.
Your intolerant demeanor reminded me of what I hate most about liberal’s so your vote to override, along with the liberals, didn’t come as a surprise.
Any idea how much your precious aggregate company will have to raise their prices now that they will also be hit by this huge tax increase? Do you think some homeowners just might decide to build their walkways or patios themselves out of interlocking block instead of high and now going higher priced concrete?
I sure hope your BPOU does the right thing and endorses a real Republican in your district. For the sake of all Minnesotan’s I hope this is the last time we’ll have to watch such a condescending lecture which results in another assault on our economic liberty.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Oh, I forgot the annual $20.00 dollar wheelage tax. That applies to all vehicles.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Can we at least all agree that our transpartation system needs more funding? The only question I have for those who oppose the gas tax increase is how else would you help increase funding to MNDOT? Bonding? That seems like a pretty bad idea to me. Cutting spending? Fine but at least be specific about WHAT you want to cut. Too many times conservatives say they’d like to cut spending without saying what they want to cut. Be specific if you think thats the solution.
I myself am left of center and also agree with most conservatives that raising the gas tax may not be the best way to increase MNDOT funding. But I also don’t see how else we can get some immediate funding to MNDOT without the gas tax raise. Any other ideas?
February 26th, 2008 at 2:27 AM
Trum “Residents of this state should be vomiting . . . ”
Is Northwest Airlines going to be passing out “barf-bags,” filled with money?
February 26th, 2008 at 4:37 AM
Barack, how about this:
1) Instead of using transportation dollars on bike trails, have the bicyclists pay a yearly user fee for said bike trails and make bicyclists bet a yearly license for the bike as well. Why should drivers pay for the bike trails?
2) Have transit users pay more for their ride. Each fare is subsided in a big way. The real cost of a one way fare (express) is closer to $6.00. Why should each express rider pay only $2.75 of that $6+ fare? Let the users pay for their ride instead of having people in cars pay for the majority of their ride.
3) More toll roads. Here the users would be paying for the road they use.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:19 AM
Trum:
Keep in mind that $111 figure you’re complaining about $99 is just reg tax! The rest I’m willing to bet comes from $6 for a new plate (your plates must be seven years old), a $5 wheelage tax fee (I bet you live in one of the five metro area counties Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington warning sign for these people who wonder if the metro area coutnies will sign on to the sales tax), and $4.50 filing fee to pay for the expenses of the office that handles the processing of the tabs.
You know it’s amazing leadership is getting a tax increase passed. Leadership isn’t trying to spend within your means. Leadership isn’t trying to priortize your spending. It’s just getting more more for all your pet programs. What this tax increase was about was protecting the spending on education, welfare, and other things. The House Republicans had the proposal where you get over seven billion for roads with no new taxes. But that is because they were directing spending to roads.
The most alarming thing is this is the tip of the ice berg. A bond bill will come. Wait until you see this become the largest bond bill in history because the legistlature will think they have the votes to override. Remember last year this is the group when they combined their chambers bill came out with a bill bigger than either chamber.
And now that roads are solved bet there is hardly any money for roads and bridges in it.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
February 26th, 2008 at 5:50 AM
I blame Plawenty for this. After years of appointing sons of DFL activists and co-workers of Kathleen Morris to the bench, he finally appoints Neuville knowing full well that the Senate seat will fall into DFL hands at this crucial time. Kevin Dahle wins–the DFL gets their veto proof majority.
Then when he needs to be here to fight the tax increase, he is givng global warming speeches.
He is just a big of snake as McCain. They deserve each other.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:25 AM
My Rep Jim Abeler also got an email from me. Anybody but Abeler in the primary. And no one if Jim is the nominee.
This isn’t the first time Jim has stabbed us in the back. His rating from the Tax Payers League was 48 prior to this vote.
Not as bad as a Minneapolis DFLer but closer to the majority of the DFL than the majority of the GOP.
Jim if you read this, be honest, switch parties and let us run a Conservative.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:40 AM
I was cleaning out some old files the other day and happened to run across some of my old gas and electric utility bills from about 1990/91. They averaged about $95 – $110 per month back then. My current electric and gas costs have been running between $210 and $230 per month, or a little more than double for the same service. I wasn’t surprised – the price of almost everything seems to increase over time, partly due to inflation I suppose. Anyway, my point is this: Why should I expect to get the same level of transportation access as I did in 1988 for the same 20 cents per gallon state gas tax? Seems to me that some adjustment to refect both inflation and the growing transportation needs of our area would be not only reasonable but anticipated and planned for?
February 26th, 2008 at 8:45 AM
I’m done with Minnesota!
This new round of taxed will cost me personally 2500.00 a year minimum. The company I work for estimates 1.8 million minimum per year. I work for a company with 450 employees and everyone here is very upset. . (We laid off 30 people in January now who knows) With higher fuel taxes and tab fees the per shipment cost will have to go up. And our customers have to absorb a higher fuel surcharge per shipment. We have been told by many customers that they will look to other manufactures and suppliers in other state because the shipping cost will be lower.
The out of touch legislators in St Paul better wake up because the real tax payers will move out and the leaches will move in and enjoy the beautiful new bike paths. Businesses in Minnesota are bleeding from the incompetent elected leadership.
I am calling on everyone to vote out all incumbents from both sides of the isle. The left has said it’s time for a change WELL people on the right let’s make some changes. Every one of them is worthless and hasn’t a clue what the people of Minnesota really needed. TAX relief!!!
Pawlenty (the closet liberal) had better not get the Vice President nod because he will get slaughtered in any debate now that we are one of the highest taxed states. And if he is on the ticket I will vote for Obama. No Joke! He doesn’t deserve it and has lost my support as a Minnesotan. My state reps will be hearing from me loud and clear.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I can’t force myself to vote Obama, but I might leave the president line blank.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:03 AM
This money grab has foaming-at-the-mouth mad. The shear rage this generated in me probably took two years off of my life.
This is the dumbest, most irresponsible, short sighted, socialist knee jerk flaming bag of poo ever to be set on Minnesota’s stoop. If roads and bridges are so important, and I agree they are, then re-do the budget! Fund the roads first and then see if you can raise taxes for social programs that attract every thug, gangster and illegal in the Midwest.
Plus, lets just ignore the real problem of how road money is allocated. I honestly don’t expect to see a single improvement on any road I drive in the metro.
Unless my roads show a noticeable improvement and the trains give us a HUGE decrease in traffic congestion, in relation to the cost, every legislator who voted for this wallet rape should be physically, and I mean physically, removed from office! It would be nice if there was some way to charge them with fraud or gross incompetence.
How even one rational human can think that out of a 35 Billon dollar budget not one lefty could find money for roads is incomprehensible. Words can not describe the depths of their shear ineptitude or their love for pure socialist control.
I was born and raised in this state and have live in most regions of Minnesota at one time or another but as I plan my retirement I just can’t see how I can stay in this state. And that saddens and enrages me.
Sorry my rant doesn’t flow but it took me several edits to work all of the name calling and cuss words out.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Minnesota GOP is dead and buried. Rest in peace.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:19 AM
To Hottip,
May I suggest Arizona. I lived there for 10 years and would have stayed if not family interests that needed to be taken care of up here.
As soon as my son graduates, I’m back there.
Taxes are half and if you compare apples to apples (get my drift) the schools are just as good down there as they are here. It is an area that is actually growing.
Every suburb (other than Tolleson, El Mirage and south Avondale) are far superior to anything in the Twin Cities.
The legislature there actually has the guts to tell Governor “Crappy” Nappy to live within the budget.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Someone MUST expose the 6 rinos that left us hanging. We voted for these people based on their tax stand, and have now let us down. We MUST make sure that these people DO NOT serve one more term in office. This is just the start people. The GOP is dead in MN as stated by Skipper on #21.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Thank you Tim M
I am a born and razed Minnesota boy and I am so disgusted with the legislators that I have made calls this morning to a realtor.
I will first look at Wisconsin, North Carolina. Or even South Dakota. I have to think of my Wife first and where she can transfer with in her company. I can pickup my business and work anywhere in the world.
I’m dead serious about moving away from this socialist agenda. Minnesota is on the wrong path this is not Chicago or New York.
Question
What is the difference between a county road project and a state road project?
Answer
County taxes and state taxes
Be careful because most of you think this money is for all road projects and you’re dead wrong!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:15 AM
McCain’s wrinkly balls…
What an ignorant response.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:18 AM
McCain: Change your username and you can comment. This is my blog and I find your username disgusting.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 AM
.08 cents per gallon is a 160,000.00 in crease in fuel cost for one year for my company
February 26th, 2008 at 11:21 AM
sorry
1,600,000.00
February 26th, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Hottip,
WI is no better. Madison is referred to as Moscow on Mendota for good reason.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Mary Lahammer is hot.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:43 PM
All right Honeydog, I don’t agree with your idea about bike trails, but even if it was implemented it probably wouldn’t even cause a ripple of an increase in MNDOT funsing. All you got to do is compare bike trail costs with the MNDOT’s highway budget.
Your transit user fee idea seems logical, but you have to remember that drivers also get a benefit when people use transit because fewer people are on the road. The transit users aren’t the only people benefitting. Further, shouldn’t be people who use transit be somewhat rewarded by not adding more congestion to roads.
Toll roads, however, I might agree with as being a good idea. Just a question of how much new funding that would actually bring in. If its enough, maybe the toll road funds could mean only a 3-5 cent increase to the gas tax instead of 8.5 cents.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Barack, for all the bike trails there are, trust me, the cost is more than you think. And they don’t get used anywhere near as much as a road is used. Make the fees cover the cost of all the trails.
Buses actually cause more congestion on the roads. The bus strike proved that. Buses also cause a lot more wear and tear on the roads, bigger vehicles cause more damange. By the way, the fares only cover 36% the cost of the bus system.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Skipper:
I think it’s too early to say the Minnesota GOP should rest in peace. It looks like we will get ended the careers of the six turncoats and elect a whole bunch of new reps. It hard that if the house team has to stay united to sustain the governor’s veto that the entire party should be penalized for the acts of six traitors!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN